Group-Analytic Psychotherapy under Threat of War: The Gulf Crisis

Abstract

President Saddam Hussein's warning that he would unleash `weapons of destruction' upon Israel if Iraq were attacked by the Allied Forces became a reality 18 January 1991 when eight Scud missiles landed in central and northern Israel. Between then and 23 February 1991 thirty-seven Scud missiles landed. Two people died and 239 were injured, with millions of dollars of property damage. The civilian population had been taught civil defence precautions several weeks in advance of the ultimatum. When the siren sounded they raced to rooms sealed against gas attack, put on gas-masks and waited for the radio to give advice. Time spent in the sealed rooms ranged from minutes to several hours. As it happened the missiles were conventional in type, but there was always the fear they might carry biological, chemical or atomic warheads. This article explores the fears and anxieties of patients and staff in groups at the Summit Institute, Jerusalem, and the issue of intimacy and its relation to identity formation.