Border Guard uses 'Skunk' as new crowd-dispersal means
Out with rubber bullets, tear gas, shock grenades; in with new, stinky means
to scatter violent rioters. After using new tool during Naalin riot,
officers report Palestinians ran to shower, changed clothes
Efrat Weiss YNET Published: 08.10.08, 15:45 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3580338,00.html

The Border Guard has begun using a new means of contending with riots coined
"Skunk".

The police developed this new method for scattering violent demonstrations
and tested its effectivity in the last demonstration which took place in the
West Bank village of Naalin.

Separation Fence

Use of the "Skunk" is by means of an especially foul-smelling liquid
spraying machine.

Over the past few years, security forces have been compelled to deal with a
large number of demonstrations against construction of the separation fence
in the West Bank village of Bilin and lately, in Naalin.

Until now, forces used rubber bullets, tear gas and shock grenades in order
to disperse crowds who burned tires and threw stones at soldiers.

The police searched for a solution in order to deal with riots and
simultaneously reduce the number of injuries. Thus, it was decided to
"enlist" the "Skunk" for dispersing riots.

On Friday, during a protest that took place near Naalin, Border Guard
officers used the "skunk" for the first time in order to scatter the violent
rioters in the area.

Use of the new apparatus began upon receipt of all necessary authorizations
and after operational, health-related and legal instruction were given by
the body which created this technology.

Border Guard Commander Yisrael Yitzhak, who is responsible for use of the
"Skunk", also authorized its usage.

"Skunk" is operated by two manual systems and one water-spraying machine.
However, instead of spraying water the foul-smelling material is sprayed.

The Border Guard reported that after the first usage of the "skunk" the
Palestinians fled in order to shower and change clothes.

It should be noted that it is still unclear whether or not the new apparatus
will permanently replace the previous crowd-dispersal means.