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Protester Death Shows IDF May Be Using Most Dangerous Type of Tear Gas
Jawaher Abu Rahmah died Saturday as a result of tear gas shot by IDF soldiers during demonstrations against the separation fence on Friday.
Questions are surfacing about Israel's use of tear-gas grenades, as security officials investigate the recent death of a protester at the weekly demonstration near the separation fence at the West Bank village of Bil'in. A 36-year-old woman, Jawaher Abu Rahmah, died on Saturday morning.
The medical report filed in the Ramallah hospital where Abu Rahmah was taken shows that her death was caused by respiratory failure resulting from the inhalation of tear gas.
Haaretz obtained the medical report on Sunday from Jawaher's brother, Ahmed Abu Rahmah.
Jawaher Abu Rahmah was the sister of Bassem Abu Rahmah, who was killed in April 2009 when Israeli soldiers fired a tear-gas grenade at his chest at a demonstration at the fence in Bil'in. Ahmed Abu Rahmah has three surviving brothers; their father died five years ago.
"My entire family is ruined," he said on Sunday. "The whole house feels a sense of catastrophe." He said he bears no hatred toward Israelis. "They are people just like myself. We don't seek vengeance against Israel. We want the return of our lands, and the struggle won't end until our property is restored."
The Israel Defense Forces uses crowd-dispersal tear gas known as CS, which was developed half a century ago in Britain and the United States. It is used by armies and police forces around the world. In recent years, a number of studies have cast doubts about this type of gas; there have been reports of several deaths caused by the inhalation CS tear gas.
"One of the main factors influencing the extent of damage caused by CS gas is the amount of particles in the air," said Daniel Argo, an Israeli doctor who regularly takes part in the demonstrations against the separation fence. He also trains activists to tend to injuries caused by police and soldiers using crowd-dispersal techniques.
Eye and lung injuries from gas
Argo says recent eye and lung injuries, as well as skin diseases, can be associated with the use of CS tear gas.
"There are other types of tear gas that are not as dangerous as CS; why the defense establishment insists on continuing its use is not clear," Argo said. "In addition, since no studies have been conducted to identify the long-term effects of the gas, security personnel who use it frequently should be worrying about their own health."
An Israeli security official said Sunday that "many Western countries use this type of gas."
32 Comments so far
Show AllThere appears no end to the criminal and evil acts of Israel against innocent human beings. It's as if Satan were in charge of the IDF!!!
The "criminal and evil acts of Israel" are funded by the United States. If Satan in in charge of the IDF, he is also in charge of the government of the United States of America.
Amen.
As someone who was gassed a number of times in confined spaces in a 'gas hut' during my time in the military, I do question the idea that it's the most 'dangerous' type of gas. There are many reasons to damn the Israeli government, but I'm not at all convinced about this one.
If they had used Sarin gas, risingdawn's response would have been appropriate.
According to the article, there are many types of tear gas, and the CS type being used by Israel is the most dangerous. No surprise here, since Israel's goal is maximum destruction of Palestinian people, and maximum theft of Palestinian land. Which is why the Israeli Occupation Forces react so brutally to nonviolent demonstrations.
"There are other types of tear gas that are not as dangerous as CS; why the defense establishment insists on continuing its use is not clear," Argo said. "In addition, since no studies have been conducted to identify the long-term effects of the gas, security personnel who use it frequently should be worrying about their own health."
With all due respect, the experience of a relatively physically-fit person engaged in a planned and routine military training exercise, even a harsh and extreme exercise, doesn't necessarily confer superior insight or expertise.
I'm not insinuating that the experience isn't real and intense; I've seen various video clips of soldiers staggering out of those tear gas chambers coughing and hacking convulsively, tearing, and drooling. Better you than me!
But the psychological context, and individual differences, modify the experience.
I'm reminded of comparable comments by military personnel downplaying the severity of waterboarding, or police officers disputing the potentially lethal effects of Tasers based on their experience in training exercises.
IMO, it's a perverse inversion of the Golden Rule: doing (this) unto others can't be all that bad, since I didn't think it was so bad when it was done unto me.
I agree with you completely. There is a difference between someone who's reasonably healthy and using the gas on someone who has, or might have breathing issues due to whatever health reasons.
I've always feared getting gassed again, even more when I was wearing contact lenses.
Let's also mention that civilians generally never get any training on how to deal with gas. (best advice hold your breath as long as you can, and try to filter the crap with something/anything...)
I wasn't trying to argue that it's not so bad. I never had the snot running, because I used the mask and training properly (or I was bloody lucky), but I did feel for the poor bastard who did botch it...
Really, my reply was a bit snarky. And not as clear or bitter as I could/should have made. If I was a bit nastier, I'd have mentioned that at least they didn't open fire on the protesters. I'm sure that some of them did think about it tho...
Just to be clear there are three kinds of tear gas;
CS (chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile)
CN (chloroacetophenone) - often sold as Mace
Pepper spray - made from chili peppers mixed with a vehicle like corn oil
CS is stronger than CN but wears off more quickly.
Until this article I had never heard of anyone dying from the effects of tear gas. I really never thought it was possible, to be honest. I'm very sorry to be wrong.
You missed one. CR Tear Gas or dibenzoxazepine.
Known for being even more toxic/lethal than CN or CS.
Wikipedia article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CR_gas
Please note that in the vast majority of situations where ANY of the so-called 'tear gases' are used, it is usually well armed Government paramilitary style Police using them against unarmed or defenseless people in conditions that are conducive to over exposure to possibly lethal amounts.
Thanks for the clarification, karl dubhe. Sorry I didn't entirely catch your drift in the first place.
When the G8 was in Ontario, at least one non-protestor died in her home from overexposure to CS gas. She was elderly and not even taking part in the protests, she just happened to live in a nighborhood that it was heavily used...
Yeah, but in a recent Canadian investigation into Police actions during the G8 SUmmit in Toronto, the Police (including the RCMP) were held blameless, and absolved of any and all wrongdoing or criminal activity.
Which is what happens anywhere in Canada, when it comes to Police malfeasance...
If you want to get away with murder in Canada, become a cop or a politician.
Non Serviam - I will not serve.
Colin Thatcher didn't get away with murdering his ex-wife...
I'd amend your statement to read
"If you want to get away with murder, become a cop. If you want to get away with mass murder, become a politician."
It's the WALL. Just like the BERLIN WALL, and the U.S. Wall on the Mexican border, this story involves the Israeli wall.
Fences separate neighbors. Israelis live on stolen Palestinian land and the purpose of the WALL is to prevent Palestinians from the freedom of movement.
Read this:
http://www.safetyenforcement.com/tegasin.html
Even in the 'defense' industry, it is openly acknowledged that even in minute amounts, CS tear gas can be extremely toxic.
The following is from the Wikipedia entry for CS Tear Gas:
2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) (chemical formula: C10H5ClN2), the active ingredient described as a non-lethal weapon for crowd control, many studies have raised doubts about this classification. As well as creating severe pulmonary damage, CS can also significantly damage the heart and liver.
On September 28, 2000, Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinrich released a study commissioned by John C. Danforth, of the United States Office of Special Counsel, to investigate the use of CS by the FBI at the Branch Davidians' Mount Carmel compound. He concluded that the lethality of CS used would have been determined mainly by two factors: whether gas masks were used and whether the occupants were trapped in a room. He suggests that if no gas masks were used and the occupants were trapped, then, "...there is a distinct possibility that this kind of CS exposure can significantly contribute to or even cause lethal effects.
Many reports have associated CS exposure with miscarriages. This is consistent with its reported clastogenic effect (abnormal chromosome change) on mammalian cells.
When CS is metabolized, cyanide can be detected in human tissue. According to (pay attention here boys and girls!>>) THE UNITED STATES ARMY Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, CS emits "very toxic fumes" when heated to decomposition, and at specified concentrations CS gas is an immediate danger to life and health. They also state that those exposed to CS gas should seek medical attention immediately.
There ya have it, from the US Military: This shit is LETHAL!
Non Serviam - I will not serve.
I realize that this article focuses on the toxic effects of the gas itself, but it might have mentioned the IDF predilection for accidently-on-purpose firing tear-gas canisters/grenades point-blank at protestors' heads.
Pro-Palestinian activists Emily Henochowicz and Tristan Anderson were each grievously wounded by such "accidental" shootings.
I don't know about Anderson, but the last I heard the Israeli government declined to pay for any portion of Henochowicz's medical care, apparently because they believed that peaceful protestors assume the risk of being maimed-- her injured eye had to be surgically removed-- in a merry mixup by police-state goons.
Police in the US and Canada do the same thing. I remember the story of a news reporter who was fond of all things Bush-y. He was covering a protest at a G8 (?) meeting in Florida, when the local cops showed up and violated the protestors rights to free speech.
In doing so, the reporter was shot in the head by a Police shotgun fired 'baton' round, from less than ten feet away. He suffered a fractured skull and concussion.
Before the protest, he was of the opinion that progressives/lefties were a bunch of whiners and 'tin foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists'. After being shot, and suffering permanent hearing loss, he is now firmly in the left/progressive/anti-Government camp.
Related, I found this item:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=af2_1187840710&c=1
About half way through you will see a man wearing glasses, looking very dazed, and bleeding from the area around his right ear. This is the man I am talking about.
Non Serviam - I will not serve.
There is a callousness exhibited by the military toward human life in general. In fact, their training seeks to instill that attitude in recruits. How else can human beings be taught to kill other humans without thinking?
By our silence we accept this kind of "collateral damage" as routine, unfortunate, but routine.
I am glad that these events are now being talked about and covered to some extent by the media. We as individuals need to talk about this with people we know as well. Otherwise we are complicit in the violence.
Food for thought:
If the Palestinians really want peace and freedom, why don't they simply give up on this "statehood" stuff. Give Israel what they want, convert to secular-Judaism if necessary, and then they can get on with their lives and follow their dreams without walls, checkpoints and guns.
**HEAVY SARCASM ALERT**
So you won't object if I come to your home, assault you, kill your dog, rape your partner, smash your personal mementos and belongings, then drive you out of the house to live in squalor in the alley with no food or water, no medical treatment and no job? And if you try to object, I can and will call on a bunch of well armed thugs to shoot at you, all the while proclaiming it was you who stole MY house, and having the Police and news media call you a terrorist (or worse). Oh, and you have to be forcibly converted to my religion as well. Can you handle all that? You can?
When can I start?
Non Serviam - I will not serve.
I don't advocate what I wrote above. I'm playing devils advocate.
Israel insists that if the Palestinians would simply give up their sometimes-armed nationalist aspirations and simply "get with the program" (which would probably require conversion to Judaism and speaking Hebrew - a small sacrifice to make), they would halt their "security" measures and the the Palestinians would enjoy the freedom and fruits of their modern neoliberal capitalist economy.
In India, they argue the same regarding the rebellious "tribal" peoples.
I was hoping you're not serious. But you have made that point before on anther thread about converting being easy...
On the topic of converting to Judaism, it's not quite as easy as converting to other religions. Moreover, if you're a Muslim and you convert you're automatically an apostate and for the fundamentalist Muslim you have volunteered to be put to death for that 'crime'.
From what I gather, when the Israeli government talks about the Palestinians getting with the program. They mean that the Arabs should bodily move to Jordan, Egypt, Syria or Lebanon, or otherwise gtfo of Israel altogether.
Yes, but even crying "uncle" and leaving is always an option for finally obtaining personal freedom for one and one's descendents. As I mentioned in the discussion of the article on the youth "manifesto", I get the distinct impressison that the young Palestinians who wrote it were taking the first step in realizing this. They never mentioned anything about Palestinian nationhood or a homeland - something that is too glaring just be an oversight. They simply declared every party in the conflict to be equally to blame for imprisoning them in conditions of death and no freedom. It was "freedom" that they were crying for, not nationhood. This is Stage I. Stage II will be when they simply state "to hell with this Palestinian Statehood Nonsense, We just want to be free. Please Israel, let us out of Gaza (and the only-a-bit-better West Bank) and we promise never to return!"
The cause is lost.
[leaving is always an option]
Not really. None of the states I mentioned will give the Palestinian refugees citizenship, not even for the kids who are born in their nations. As for the kids on the other thread, I don't think they give a damn about countries anymore. Why would they? What has any country ever done for them, other than drop bombs.
Israel is insane. They are the blood and soul of Hitler himself. They have hated so long they have become hate itself. Their hearts and minds are sand. Their word and thoughts just razors on the throats of mankind. They rot as they live.
Those who live by the state, as they do here in the US, as in Israel, will soon know the agony of their bad choices. Evil and hatred NEVER win. They already spy on each other. And they will each stab the other in the back. We have no reason to fear anyone else but truly Israel. They have all misinterpreted the Book.
Some tribal peoples from India are welcome in Israel as they add ballast to the never ending struggle to add heft to the Jewish presence, especially in areas where it might be falling behind in the demographic stakes.
---
...in November 2006, 218 members of the Bnei Menashe, from Mizoram in north-east India, arrived in Israel and were promptly settled in the northern Galilee as part of a drive to strengthen the Jewish presence in the area after the war against Lebanon.
The Bnei Menashe are a Tibeto-Burman linguistic group who claim to be descendants of one of the Ten Lost Tribes of ancient Israel (hence the name, "Sons of Manasseh"), but their link with Judaism is in fact of recent origin. Like other tribal peoples in north-eastern India, they had been converted from indigenous religious practices to protestant Christianity in the late 19th century. In 1951, a local Pentacostalist leader named Challianthanga announced that God had ordered his people to return to their pre-Christian religion, which he claimed was Judaism, and to their original homeland, which he claimed was Israel. He attracted a band of followers who adopted some Jewish customs while retaining faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
In 1979, an Israeli organization dedicated to locating the lost tribes learned about the group and made contact with them. Over the following decades many were converted to Orthodox Judaism and some began settling in Israel and the Occupied Territories, principally Gaza. Significantly, much of the funding for this operation came from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, a body that solicits Christian support for Israel and is effectively an arm of the powerful right wing Christian evangelical lobby in the USA.
...with the emergence of the Zionist state, these claims have taken on a new import. In Israel, champions of the Bnei Menashe openly describe their immigration as part of the solution to "the demographic problem", i.e. the numerical preponderance of non-Jews in Palestine. Of course, for the Bnei Menashe to be eligible to immigrate under Israel's Law of Return, they must be accepted by the Rabbinate as Jewish, which means they must undergo formal conversion...
---
Incidentally, during WWII when Germans would occupy a new country they would also scour for precious Germanic blood and try to "redeem" their Teutonic brethren whose ancestors had emigrated generations ago. This happened in occupied Greece among other places as the Columbia University historian Mark Mazower discovered.
http://www.mikemarqusee.com/?p=240
http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Hitlers-Greece-Experience-Occupation/dp/0300089236
FWIW. I do not want to be gassed by ANY tear gas regardless of lethality. I bet the Palestinians don't either. I would focus on that before I even worried about other stuff.
John Shade
For What It's Worth, yours was a most excellent and trenchant observation.
All this IDF killing is done in defense of theocratic apartheid.
It's not theocratic, if it were then they would follow the Torah and keep the 3 oaths which were given to them by their God, according to their tradition, at the time of the diaspora. These oaths specifically prohibit trying to create a "State of Israel". Traditional Jews believe that not only is any participation in or assistance to the golden calf known as "the State of Israel" is a sin, not a minor sin mind you, but one about equivalent to blasphemy.
"Those who assist the Zionists will pay at the Day of Judgment, because they are causing the masses to sin. Therefore, whoever is on the side of G-d and his Torah shall not join with evildoers and not become attached to them. On the contrary, they should oppose them as much as possible." - Lubavitcher Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Sholem Dov Ber Schneersohn ZT'L
I see that CD spiked the Ira Chernus story on the US as source of the IDF CS Tear gas...