The Knesset approves legislation barring police use of “Skunk,” a foul-smelling liquid, on protesters, in a rare display of cooperation between coalition and opposition lawmakers.
Sprayed out of a high-pressure water cannon truck, the putrid liquid is often used on Haredi anti-draft demonstrators and Palestinians in the West Bank, but has also been rolled out against anti-government protesters in recent years.
The bill, submitted by United Torah Judaism MKs Moshe Gafni and Yaakov Asher, was supported by opposition MKs, including Yesh Atid’s Merav Ben-Ari and Labor’s Gilad Kariv. The bill’s third reading passed 11-0.
The makeup of the substance is shrouded in mystery, and relevant authorities have declined to disclose its exact ingredients. Some of those who have been sprayed with the substance reported skin irritation, shortness of breath, and headaches.
Skunk is produced by one supplier, the private Israeli firm Odortec, which invented the liquid.
Charlie Summers contributed to this report.
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