Skunk

malodorant crowd-control weapon

Sold to:

Israel

Company:

Ordotec, MAN

Skunk

malodorant crowd-control weapon

General Information

The Skunk was developed by the Technological Development Department of the Israel Police, in collaboration with Odortec LTD. It is manufactured by Odortec, with two supporting companies, Man and Beit-Alfa Technologies.

“Skunk” is a malodorant, non-lethal weapon used for crowd control. The liquid’s strong odor is marketed as an improvement over other crowd control weapons (CCWs) such as rubber bullets and tear gas. Skunk” is dispersed as a form of yellow mist, fired from a water cannon, which leaves a powerful odor similar to rot or sewage on whatever it touches. Skunk is also sold in handheld canisters and in grenades which can be thrown or fired as projectiles.[1]Israeli “skunk” fouls West Bank protests

The company later marketed Skunk to law enforcement agencies worldwide, specifically American local police departments.[2]A whiff from hell Skunk, a high-tech Israeli weapon against stone-throwers Several US police departments, including the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, purchased it.[3]Who, What, Why: What is skunk water?

In 2017 the Israeli Newspaper reported: Skunk is liable to cause physical harm, such as intense nausea, vomiting and skin rashes, in addition to any injury resulting from the powerful force of the spray. Examinations by police and army medical teams in the past also indicated that the excessive coughing caused by exposure can result in suffocation”.[4]Skunk used on Palestinian protesters now in use on Haredi Protesters

Skunk used against Palestinian protester in the village Bil’in in the occupied territories, 2011.

Use by Israeli Forces

Skunk is used by the Israeli military and police forces in Israel and Palastinian occupied territories.

Skunk was first reported to be used for crowd control in August 2008 in the Palestinian village of Ni’lin where daily protests had been taking place in response to the construction of a security barrier.[5]Israel Unleashes First ‘Skunk Bomb’ Spraying the liquid has developed into one of the preferred measures adopted by the IDF to meet the challenge of civil disobedience and demonstrations by Palestinians. The tactic was devised to tamp down organized civilian protests in the West Bank.[6]Israel tries new tactics against Palestinian protesters It has been used regularly against the villagers of Bil’in, Ni’lin, Kafr Qaddum, and Nabi Salih, where weekly protests against the occupation are practiced.[7]Crowd Control Weapons in the Occupied Palestinian Territories The Skunk was also used in a demonstration against the closing of Shuhada Street in Hebron, which took place in February 2012.[8]Crowd Control Weapons in the Occupied Palestinian Territories The skunk was massively used against Palestinian protesters during protests in Sheikh Jarrah[9]Evictions in Jerusalem Become Focus of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and at the Damascus Gate in east-Jerusalem in 2021[10]Palestinian protesters dodge stun grenades and ‘skunk’ spray as skirmishes spread through Jerusalem’s Old City.

Amnesty International, B’Tselem and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel have been critical of the IDF’s use of the product. Concerns have included accusations of indiscriminate use against people, homes, and businesses not involved in demonstrations.[11]Concerns of Excessive Use of Skunk Spray in East Jerusalem The IDF has also been accused of deployment in a manner described as punitive.[12]CROWD CONTROL Israel’s Use of Crowd Control Weapons in the West Bank [13]TRIGGER-HAPPY ISRAEL’S USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE IN THE WEST BANK Critics have said that the IDF sprays Palestinian houses after protests as a form of collective punishment.[14]US military malodorant missiles kick up a stink

In 2017 Israeli forces began using Skunk against Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters[15]Israeli Police Target ultra-Orthodox Protesters With Weapon Developed Against Palestinians, and It Stinks and against protesters of the Israeli Ethopian community.[16]Ethiopian-Israeli protest against police brutality is met with violence

In 2018 a drone by Aeronautics was used by the Israeli Military to dump Skunk-water on protesters in Gaza, according to a video posted by the Israeli Defense Minisry.[17]Israeli-Made UAV Dumps Skunk-Water on Gaza Protesters