| Violence at the checkpoint, Israel deploys cool new technology. |
The IDF, in order to disperse several dozen Paleostinians who were burning tires and throwing stones at security forces, used "The Scream," a non-lethal sonic weapon that emits a deafening sound people cannot stand.
The injured Paleostinian man was treated on the scene.
While mass demonstrations have been taking place throughout the West Bank this week, violent incidents like that which took place at Kalandiya were expected to be minimal and isolated.
Unlike a rally in Ramallah Wednesday that drew thousands to support Paleostinian statehood in the United Nations
...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks...
, the Kalandiya protest came into direct contact with Israeli forces.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post Tuesday, Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilna'i said that PA security forces are prepared to contain demonstrations and prevent them from turning violent.
On Tuesday, ahead of the large demonstrations, IDF regional brigade commanders in the West Bank held talks with their Paleostinian counterparts to coordinate operations aimed at containing the protests and preventing a violent escalation.
The IDF has also tightened its rules of engagement as part of an effort to minimize potential for an escalation due to tactical operations or mistakes. As reported on Tuesday in the Post, the IDF has reduced operations inside Paleostinian cities and towns in territory defined as Area A, which is under full Paleostinian control.
Such operations will be carried out only to prevent imminent terrorist attacks that are in motion, with the understanding that Israeli incursions into Area A embarrass PA security forces and undermine their authority in the eyes of the Paleostinian people.
