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)