IDF Thugs launches wartime television studio

Over $1.3 million invested in broadcast studio to be operated by Home Front Command in event of national crisis. Channel will provide information, instructions and answer questions of civilian population during future conflicts

As part of the IDF's efforts to implement the lessons learned after the Second Lebanon War, an independent military broadcast studio was launched on Wednesday in the hopes of providing an effective means of relaying crucial information to the Israel's civilian population during a time of national crisis.

Costing over $1.3 million to construct, the studio is situated inside the Home Front Command's headquarters near the city of Ramle in central Israel.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Maj. Gen. Yair Golan acknowledged that even prior to the war his command was aware it was not concentrating sufficient efforts in educating the public. Therefore, he said, this project was given preference.

"I hope we will never need to use this studio, but in light of the dangers threatening Israel, it would likely be best if we were proficient in operating it," he said, adding that the studio would be used to pass down information and instructions to civilians from the defense establishment.

Recently retired journalist and news anchor Gadi Sukenik had been drafted by the Home Front Command to serve as the channel's chief 'star.'

In the event of a crisis situation the studio will begin broadcasting on Channel 33, though it can also break into regular programming on other channels.

Col. Hilik Sofer told Ynet that in the event of an emergency situation the command would invite experts from various fields to the studio to offer general instructions to the public as well as answer individual questions. More