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"Skunk" is a malodorant, non-lethal weapon used for crowd control by the IIsraeli occupation forces. Deriving its name from the animal of the same name, "Skunk" is dispersed as a form of mist, fired from a water cannon, which leaves a terrible odor of rot or sewage on whatever it touches. It does not wash off easily and is said to linger on clothes for up to five years. First attempts at developing a scent-based form of crowd control began in Israel in 2004; Skunk was first used for crowd control in September 2008. A BBC reporter describes its effects as follows:-
“Imagine the worst, most foul thing you have ever smelled. An overpowering mix of rotting meat, old socks that haven’t been washed for weeks – topped off with the pungent waft of an open sewer. . .Imagine being covered in the stuff as it is liberally sprayed from a water cannon. Then imagine not being able to get rid of the stench for at least three days, no matter how often you try to scrub yourself clean.”
It was sprayed in late June 2014 throughout Bethlehem's Aida refugee camp in what residents describe as an 'unprovoked and unexpected' attack, though it is regularly used according to B'tselem, against Palestinian villages where demonstrations are frequent. Among Palestinians, the liquid is known simply as "shit".
According to David Ben Harosh, head of technological development for the Israeli police, the recipe is based entirely on natural organic ingredients, including yeast and baking powder, does not include any harmful materials, and may even be ingested without causing harm. The inventors plan to market Skunk to other forces worldwide. The development of Skunk followed numerous accusations against Israeli forces that they often employ disproportionate force in clashes with Palestinian protestors (e.g. using rubber bullets or tear gas), which has led them to seek new, non-lethal but effective methods of crowd control.
References
- "Israel develops 'skunk bomb' for riot control situations", Haaretz, 18/9/2004
- "Israel Unleashes First 'Skunk Bomb'". 2014 Condé Nast. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- 'Using Palestinians as free way to test new weapons of people control,' JfjfP May 2014
- Alex Shams,'Israeli forces spray Bethlehem homes with putrid-smelling water,' Ma'an News Agency 27 June 2014.
See also
External links
- Israel cops try common scents crowd control - Daily News (New York) article by BY Matthew Kalman, September 7, 2008
- New Israeli weapon kicks up stink - BBC article by Wyre Davies, 2 October 2008.
- Israel Unleashes First 'Skunk Bomb' - Wired article by David Hambling, September 21, 2008
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Skunk used against demonstrators in Ni'lin
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Skunk used against an International Women's Day demonstration at Kalandia checkpoint, Palestine 8 March 2012
