The weekly Arab protests against the partition barrier at the village of Bilin have scored another victory against Israel. In addition to compelling Israel’s High Court of Justice to order the re-routing of the partition in favor of village residents, the protestors have now compelled the IDF to change its orders pertaining to the use of smoke grenades.

The attorney general’s office has ruled the use of grenades by firing them directly at protestors is questionable from a legal standpoint. In a letter sent to military officials, the AG’s office explains that even is the use of such adjuncts is compelled by a situation, firing them directly at protestors is unacceptable.

A number of weeks ago, an American taking part in a protest was seriously injured as a result of a smoke grenade that struck him in his head. Two weeks later, a Bilin resident was killed as a result of a grenade. The two cases prompted the probe which has led to revised protocol for their future use.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)