The Knesset unanimously approved a bill last night in its second and third readings, initiated by the chairman of Degel HaTorah, MK Moshe Gafni. The law mandates that police water cannons use only clean water, without any added substances, dyes, or odohttps://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-895634rs.
Additionally, any use of a water cannon to disperse a demonstration must be recorded with full visual documentation, ensuring appropriate image quality and audible sound.
Individuals claiming injury or damage resulting from the use of a water cannon are entitled to request the documentation from the Israel Police.
"The law is intended to protect the rights of protesters, and especially the environment and residents in areas where public order is being disrupted," says MK Moshe Gafni.
"I thank the initiators of the bill, my faction colleagues MK Uri Maklev and former MK Eliyahu Baruchi, who led the proposal in its early stages. As of today, the water cannon will no longer be a tool for punishment, but solely a tool for dispersing disturbances."
"For the past three and a half years, the Israel Police have systematically violated orders and regulations regarding the use of water cannons against protesters," says MK Gilad Kariv.
"Passing this law sends a clear message to the police regarding their obligation to allow freedom of protest, avoid harming protesters, and end selective enforcement and surrender to the political dictates of Ben Gvir and his associates.
"Alongside this law, we will continue our efforts in the Knesset and the streets to ensure the police internalize the importance of freedom of speech and that officers acting against the law do not enjoy immunity."
MK Naama Lazimi also commented, saying, "As someone who has personally experienced the impact of a water cannon several times, and seen firsthand the injuries caused by disproportionate use, I know these tools were not meant to keep order—they were meant to break the spirit.
"We are restoring safety to the public sphere and making it clear: governmental power must be restrained and transparent. Freedom of expression is a supreme value that no water jet can overcome."