|
Trending Topics
|
Israel Aims to Avoid Casualties If Palestinians Demonstrate in September
(AP-Washington Post) Israeli security forces are importing horses, water cannons, tear-gas launchers and a nauseating noise machine to control crowds if they become violent at Palestinian protests planned next month to support their bid for UN endorsement of statehood. Israel hopes the measures will avoid casualties among demonstrators. Palestinian authorities have made plans that aim to keep the protests peaceful and avoid confrontations with Israelis, but Israel fears that a single incident could trigger a flood of violence when large crowds are already out protesting. A section of southern Israel has been turned into a "September training camp" to train soldiers on how to handle violent scenarios without causing fatalities, Israeli officials said. The officials also told AP that Israeli security is working with top Palestinian commanders to coordinate activities aimed at avoiding casualties.