The Knesset plenum approved last night (Monday) in second and third reading the bill to amend the Police Ordinance, which regulates the use of riot police to disperse rioters.
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The law, which was promoted by MKs Moshe Gafni, Yaakov Asher, and Yitzhak Pindaros, went through the preparatory stage in the National Security Committee headed by MK Zvika Fogel, who formulated the final text in consultation with professional bodies.
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According to the new law, the police will be required to use only clean water without the addition of odorous substances (such as "skunk") or other chemicals. In addition, any use of the "Makht-e-Zait" will be required to be documented visually and audio-visually in high quality.
A citizen who claims to have been injured by the operation of the tool will be entitled to receive the documentation from the police, unless a court determines that this harms state security or the investigation.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed the approval of the law: "For years we have seen how the 'skunk' is becoming a permanent weapon against specific sectors. Haredim and settlers have suffered humiliation and enormous damage simply because the trigger was too light on them. My policy is zero tolerance for disturbances, but also zero tolerance for discrimination, and equal enforcement for all.".
The chairman of the National Security Committee, MK Zvika Fogel, emphasized the importance of transparency. "The police need to receive clear and effective tools to maintain public order, alongside a duty of transparency and responsibility towards citizens. The law we approved creates a clear regulation for the operation of the "Makhtzait", ensures proportionate use of this means and strengthens public trust in the enforcement system.".
Degel Hatorah chairman, MK Moshe Gafni, summed up the move. "This is an exceptional law, one of the cases where we see the conduct of the police using substances that are prohibited. The dignity of the protesters must also be protected. There are often protesters outside my house with whom I do not completely agree, but there are things that even the police are not allowed to do and this law is intended to restore order.".
""The law is intended to protect the rights of protesters, and especially the environment and residents in the area where the disturbance is taking place.".
"I thank the initiators of the bill, my faction members MK Uri Maklev and General Counsel Eliyahu Baruchi, who were among the leaders in promoting the bill in the early stages. Starting today, the Maktzait will no longer be a tool for punishment, but only a tool for dispersing disturbances.""
