B'Tselem report: Crowd Control: Israel's Use of Crowd Control ...

Sponge RoundsSponge rounds are a kinetic weapon. The IsraelPolice started using them after the use of rubbercoatedmetal bullets within Israel was prohibited,following the Orr Commission recommendations.According to Head of Technology Administrationof the Israel Police Brig. Gen. Nir Mariash, spongerounds are significantly less dangerous than rubber-coated bullets. They arealso highly accurate and can neutralize people identified as key agitators in“disturbances of the peace.” 101The Israel Police uses sponge rounds within Israel and in East Jerusalem.They were used for a short period at demonstrations in Bil’in in 2005, but arecurrently not used in the West Bank, apart from East Jerusalem. As far as isknown to B’Tselem, sponge rounds are not used in demonstrations with onlyJewish participants.The sponge rounds used by the Israel Police are manufactured by DefenseTechnologies under the brand name eXact iMpact. 102 The round is composedof a 3.9cm aluminum base connected to a 40mm-caliber black plastic bodythat is 6.3cm long and has a blue, 30-gram foam nose. Sponge rounds arefired from 40mm-launchers (for a description, see p. 11). Pulling the triggerignites the primer at the base of the round, and its explosion propels theround from its metal base out of the launcher and at the target. The launcher’srifled barrel lends it spin, which increases stability and accuracy. The metalbase remains in the launcher’s barrel and is discharged when the barrel isopened for loading the next round. When the round hits a target, the spongeis compressed, reducing impact and damage.101 Efrat Cohen, “The Newest Gadget” Israel Defense, http://www.israeldefense.co.il/?CategoryID=475&ArticleID=289 [in Hebrew].102 For the product at the manufacturer’s website, see: http://www.defense-technology.com/products.aspx?pid=632543