Gary Fitleberg, July 29, 2004

An Israeli company has developed a wall covering that can prevent Qassam rockets from penetrating a room, says Achidatex of Upper Nazareth, a manufacturer of bulletproof vests and car armor.

According to Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Beno Dvir, director of the company's research and development, the product provides protection against attacks such as last week's Qassam rocket that penetrated a western Negev kibbutz house. The Qassam landed on a bed where a mother and child were sleeping, but left them unharmed.

In 1989, prior to the first Gulf War, Achidatex was asked by the Israel Defense Forces Homefront Command to find a means of protecting structures to which reinforced rooms could not be added. The development of the product took three years, and since then it has been marketed throughout the world. Israel, however, has taken less of an interest, apparently because of the price tag - about $40 per square meter. Protection of an average room costs $1,600, not including the ceiling and installation costs, "but it is a substitute for 10 centimeters of reinforced concrete," Dvir noted.

The covering is a special weave of cotton and kevlar, the same material used to manufacture bulletproof vests, and is said to be environmentally friendly and heat resistant. It is applied to interior walls and can be painted.

Achidatex has been trying to market the fabric shield domestically since the Qassam attacks began in the south, so far to no avail.

"Eli Moyal, the mayor of Sderot, says he is interested, but that he has no money," said Dvir.

Tests carried out by Achidatex, the IDF Homefront Command and the U.S. Navy showed that the wall covering was unable to stop a direct tank shell strike. However even in case of a direct hit, the wall will not collapse and shrapnel will not penetrate the room. The covering will shield a wall when a mortar falls nearby, or stop a direct hit by less powerful weapons. The material can also stop the collapse of a ceiling in case of a hit on the roof.

"The covering actually stops all the energy and the after-shock created by the blast, and thus protects people in the room," Dvir explained.

The wall covering has peacetime uses as well.

"It can strengthen buildings against earthquakes and even reinforce bridge foundations," Dvir noted.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg