The IDF Central Command has begun receiving new riot dispersal equipment, including protective suits for soldiers and an advanced GPS system. The new tools are being integrated as part of the IDF’s range of measures for curbing violent riots in Yehuda and Shomron.
Soldiers of the Central Command have already begun using protective suits, and they will receive hundreds more in the coming month. The suits, which include a pair of special protective gloves, protect a soldier’s shoulders, chest, back, groin, thighs and calves. They are designed to absorb shocks, stones and clubs.
“This suit provides a wider possibility for the soldier to approach and even to run, and it gives the soldiers more confidence,” Maj. Yuval Yaron, head of weapons and technology for the Central Command, told the IDF Website. He added that the suits are lightweight and have been proven to be extremely effective.
In addition to the protective suits, the Central Command is to receive thousands of individual riot shields that are capable of linking up to create a defensive wall.
The Central Command is also examining the possibility of integrating a new non-lethal bullet to replace its rubber bullets. The new variety is a 40-millimeter bullet with a sponge tip, giving it the advantage of being safe at close range. Maj. Yaron stated that the new bullets are currently undergoing testing at the Chief Medical Officer’s headquarters and are expected to be integrated by the end of the year.
Last month, the Central Command’s Fire Formation received dozens of GPS units made by GARMIN, which specializes in satellite navigation devices. The devices are designed for navigation in the field, and they allow users to establish specialized routes. “It is a very user-friendly device which is right now designated for soldiers from special units only,” Maj. Yaron explained.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
4 Responses
For use only in the West Bank?
Or are they gearing up for mass resistance to conscription of yeshiva students?
In any event, non-violent protests are much more effective.
Forty-thousand people sitting down in the streets of Jerusalem (i.e. blocking traffic in a very public place) and saying tehillim would be much effective than lighting fires in trash cans or tossing diapers.
What they really need is more effective gas dispersants and electric stun guns to deal with the types of violent attacks that security forces are incurring from the extreme Chareidi groups such as those that attacked the two IDF soldiers in uniform this past weekend. These violent thugs, who have been denounced even by the responsible Chareidi leadership, need to be subjected to some serious pain and hurt before they will learn their lesson.
Gadolhadorah: Violence usually leads to more violence. The best approach for the Israeli police in dealing with violent protests (Jewish or Arab) would be to tone down the violence and set an example by being extremely polite and respectful. That, however, is not the “minhag ha-makom”.
“extremely polite and respectful”
Usually those who live a Torah lifestyle should be depended upon to act with polite and respectful behavior.