Southern hospital produces ‘horror movie’ as part of fight to fortify facility in face of rocket attacks
Shmulik Hadad
Published: 08.21.09, 16:49 / Israel News
Israel’s Barzilai Hospital has produced a short film depicting a missile attack on the site, as part of campaign aimed at prompting the construction of a fortified facility.
Hospital officials have been engaged in an ongoing struggle for fortification that would enable the medical center, located in the southern town of Ashkelon, to operate safely under the threat of Qassam and Grad rockets.
The latest tactic in the campaign is a three-minute clip that was uploaded to YouTube and sent to potential donors. The film shows an actress playing the part of an American news reporter standing outside the hospital.
During the broadcast, the Color Red anti-missile alert goes off, followed by a rocket hitting the hospital. The camera later shifts into the facility and shows images of wounded being evacuated. The clip ends after one of the hospital’s floors collapses, apparently killing the reporter.
The film, produced by the son of a doctor at the hospital, is followed by a message: “All of this didn’t really happen. But in today’s reality, we have to be prepared for tomorrow.” You have the ability to make sure that this particular ‘tomorrow’ will never happen.”
The government has decided to fortify and expand the hospital several years ago, but the plan has been in limbo after the remnants of ancient graves were discovered at the site.
The hospital declined to officially address the new film, but sources at the facility who asked to remain anonymous said this was the last chance to ensure the medical center is fortified.
“Missiles have landed at the hospital before but luckily did not cause casualties,” one source at the hospital said. “What else needs to happen to make this understood? This clip in fact depicts a reality that may take place here any day.
