Israeli ambassador: 'Get out of Japan'
Nissim Ben Shitrit calls 350 Israelis in Japan to return home, fears exposure to radiation. 'Those who have nothing to do there – get out. Hysteria rising'
Five days after the massive quake in Japan Israel's Ambassador in Tokyo, Nissim Ben Shitrit called all Israelis in Japan to return home as soon as possible, even before their planned Passover break.
Ben Shitrit explained he fears a possible exposure to radiation from nuclear plants which is quickly approaching Tokyo.
"I can't say that Israelis here are in immediate danger which is why we haven't told people unequivocally to get up and leave. But anyone who has no reason to be in Japan, I think they should take Passover vacation early and get out of here," said Ben Shitrit.
The ambassador said that "the families of diplomats had planned on visiting Israel during the Passover break anyway, so we just bumped up their flight. The diplomatic staff will stay here in full constitution because not only are we accountable for our lives, but for the lives of all the Israelis here. As long as they're here, we're here."
According to assessments, nearly 350 Israelis are currently in Japan.
Ben Shitrit stressed that he trusts the Japanese authorities will find a way to solve all the problems and calm down the public, adding that today things seem more difficult in Tokyo than in previous days.
'Radiation levels are six times higher'
"They began to check for exposure to radiation in Tokyo as well, and the radiation levels are six times higher than normal," said Ben Shitrit. "Reports about people not being in danger are true, however even if scientists say it's not dangerous the hysteria levels are on the rise."
He added that the high levels of radiation in Tokyo could be dangerous to pregnant women and children in spite of reports to the contrary.
Rescue teams in Japan (Photo: Reuters)
Ben Shitrit said this catastrophe will not be coming to an end any time soon. "The Japanese public will not have an easy time taking in the earthquake, tsunami and a nuclear disaster. It's a unique phenomenon and no normal human being would be able to handle three of these misfortunes simultaneously. Add to that the ongoing, massive discovery of dead bodies, which is also very difficult to take in."
Family says to run away
Ariel Steiner, as Israeli living in Tokyo for the past three years, described what it feels like to live in fear of a nuclear catastrophe. "All of my friends told me: 'Run away, what are you doing there?' The family is also pressuring me, telling me: 'Come home. For the first time in sixty years it's actually safer in Israel than in Japan.'"
"I can't think anymore. I'm having doubts. Yesterday I didn't think twice about leaving, but today it's changed. I've seen the wind shift in our direction and heard about the fresh explosion at Fukushima nuclear plant," said Steiner.
"I trust the Japanese. They can take control of the situation but it takes time. I didn't prepare a bag in case of an emergency and I hope the worst is behind us. On the other hand, you have no idea what tomorrow will bring. I don't want to be a hero, but when I think about it I don't even know if there's any point in buying a plane ticket. It'll take a long time," he added.
Steiner continued to describe his day-to-day routine in the past 24 hours. "Things have not returned to normal yet. Local authorities are now trying to minimize the use of electricity and you can sense it. Many stores are closes, escalators don't work and the air conditioners aren't turned on," he said, adding that even the trains which are now operating again are not doing so at full capacity in an attempt to save on energy.
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