Al-Zawiya, June 10th -- Israeli riot control police stand accused of having used what appears to be nerve gas in dispersing a crowd demonstrating against the construction of the security wall in Al-Zawiya by Israeli authorities. The Israeli organization opposed to West Bank occupation, Gush Shalom, released a press statement noting that symptoms experienced by demonstrators treated for gas inhalation were consistent with the use of a nerve agent.
The symptoms - which included dilated pupils, sudden and long-lasting loss of consciousness, and muscle rigidity - are typical of no know tear gas, which typically causes stinging in the eyes and nose and slight choking. Nerve agents, the use of which are forbidden under international convention, and are among the "weapons of mass destruction" that the U.S. expected - and failed - to find after invading Iraq in 2003.
This is not the first time that Israel has been accused, with little evidence beyond witness statements, of employing nerve gas. It should be noted that anti-Semitic groups have long floated theories that Israel uses nerve agents against protestors.
» Counterpunch: How Israel "Disperses" Demonstrations
» Tightrope: Crash of Cargo Plane in Holland Revealed Existence of Israeli Chemical and Biological Weapons Plant
» Media Monitors: The Israeli poison gas attacks
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