Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
TEL AVIV — Israeli security forces are deploying a new non-lethal anti-riot system.
The Israeli Border Guard has begun use of the Skunk anti-riot system, meant to disperse demonstrators through non-lethal means. Skunk, meant to replace the use of rubber bullets and tear gas, sprays a foul-smelling liquid on demonstrators and rioters.
Officials said the Border Guard introduced Skunk during a Palestinian-led demonstration against the Israeli security fence in the West Bank on Aug. 6. They said Skunk sprayed liquid that forced Palestinian and foreign protesters in the West Bank village of Naalin to flee.
Skunk contains a water spray filled with a foul-smelling liquid. The system is operated manually.
Officials said Skunk underwent trials to determine its effectiveness. They said Israeli authorities certified that the system was not dangerous to humans.
Over the last 20 years, Israel has tried several non-lethal systems in efforts to quell Palestinian unrest. Most of the systems were discarded after Palestinian demonstrators developed counter-measures.