Israeli forces have been using a controversial crowd-control weapon known as “skunk water” to spray Palestinian houses and streets in Shu’fat refugee camp in Jerusalem, according to residents and human rights groups.
Skunk water is a non-lethal liquid that emits a pungent odor similar to rotting animal carcasses. It was developed by an Israeli company and has been used by the Israeli military and police since 2008 to disperse protesters in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The liquid is sprayed from water cannons mounted on armored vehicles or backpacks carried by security personnel. It can cause skin irritation, eye redness, nausea and vomiting, but its main effect is to create a stench that lingers for days or even weeks, making life unbearable for those exposed to it.
Shu’fat refugee camp is the only Palestinian refugee camp located inside Jerusalem or any other Israeli-administered area. It was established by the UN in 1965 to provide housing for refugees who were evicted from the Old City of Jerusalem. Today, it is home to more than 16,000 registered refugees and many other Palestinians who hold Jerusalem identity cards.
The camp is surrounded by the Israeli-built separation barrier, which cuts it off from the rest of the city. Residents have to pass through a crowded checkpoint to access Jerusalem, where they face discrimination and harassment from Israeli authorities and settlers.
The camp has been a flashpoint of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces, especially since 2015, when a wave of violence erupted across the occupied Palestinian territories. The protesters demand an end to the Israeli occupation, the expansion of illegal settlements, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the violation of their rights.
Israeli forces have been accused of using excessive force and indiscriminate weapons against the protesters, including live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas and skunk water. Human rights groups have documented cases where skunk water was sprayed at homes, shops, schools and mosques, long after the protesters had dispersed, affecting the lives of tens of thousands of innocent civilians.
The Israeli authorities claim that skunk water is a humane and effective tool to maintain public order and security, and that it is harmless to both people and the environment. They say that they only use it in accordance with the law and the rules of engagement, and that they avoid spraying it at residential areas.
However, many Palestinians and their supporters see skunk water as a form of collective punishment and humiliation, aimed at making them leave their land and their city. They say that skunk water is a violation of their dignity and their human rights, and that it adds to their suffering and despair.
Some Palestinians have tried to resist and cope with the stinky liquid, by covering their faces, washing their clothes and bodies, or using perfumes and detergents. Others have tried to document and expose the Israeli practices, by taking photos and videos, filing complaints and petitions, or organizing campaigns and protests.
But despite their efforts, skunk water remains a constant threat and a reminder of their oppression and displacement. As one resident of Shu’fat camp said, “They want us to smell like garbage, so that we feel like garbage. But we are not garbage, we are human beings who deserve respect and justice.”