Skunk Water: A Stench-Based Crowd Control Weapon

Picture being doused by Pepé Le Pew and a swarm of his equally pungent companions. You’d likely sprint home and soak in tomato juice to eliminate the odor, right? Now imagine a smell far worse than anything those skunks could produce—this is the reality of a crowd-control weapon used in Israel, and it’s making its way to the United States.

Since 2008, the Israel Defense Forces have employed a nonlethal yet intensely foul-smelling substance called skunk water, or simply skunk, to manage rioters. Developed by the Israeli company Odortec, this spray is reportedly 100% organic and safe, consisting of a repugnant liquid with a water-like consistency that can be dispersed widely using water cannons. Odortec claims the overwhelming odor of Skunk effectively disperses crowds and prevents their return, "effectively de-escalating volatile situations."

Skunk was first deployed in August 2008 in the West Bank village of Ni'lin. Border police sprayed the liquid at protesters using backpack-mounted containers. Since then, it has been regularly used via water cannons in Palestinian neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem. Interestingly, Israel has also used it against its own citizens, such as during protests by Ultra-Orthodox Jews against mandatory military service in 2014.

What's It Like?

Wyre Davies, a BBC News correspondent covering the 2008 protest near the West Bank, shared his experience via email: "I never got sprayed with Skunk myself, but I saw those who did. The stench was unbearable—like a mix of rotten eggs, meat, cabbage, and more."

So, what exactly is Skunk made of, and is it truly safe and nonlethal? According to Odortec's Material Safety Data Sheet, Skunk is simply a blend of water, yeast, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The MSDS notes that "at the pH level of sodium bicarbonate, the yeasts produce certain amino acids, resulting in a strong odor."

Beyond the overpowering odor, Skunk can cause minor physical side effects, as noted in the MSDS sheet. These include skin irritation, redness and pain in the eyes, and abdominal discomfort if ingested. However, Davies, who has experienced being hit by a tear gas canister, believes Skunk is a safer alternative. "From a personal safety standpoint, I’d prefer being sprayed with a foul-smelling but harmless liquid over being shot at," he remarks.

Appropriate Use?

While Skunk water may be labeled "nonlethal" and safe to drink, as Odortec claims, B'Tselem—the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories—warns that many crowd-control weapons can be dangerous if misused.

In a 2013 report examining the crowd-control weapons used by Israeli security forces in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), B'Tselem highlighted instances where Skunk was sprayed at or near homes, "suggesting it may be used as a punitive measure against residents in villages with frequent weekly protests."

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) also points out that "police frequently misused Skunk spray vehicles, violating protocols and causing property damage and personal harm to Palestinian residents."

Skunk Worldwide

Skunk water isn’t exclusive to Israeli forces—it’s now accessible to U.S. police departments through U.S. distributor Mistral Security. In November 2014, following violent protests in Ferguson, Missouri, after the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, records indicate the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department purchased multiple canisters of Skunk.

Mistral Security has confirmed selling Skunk to various U.S. police departments but has not disclosed specific names. "Potential uses [of Skunk] include border security, prisons, protests, and sit-ins," Mistral states on its website. The company also offers a specialized decontamination soap designed to neutralize the odor.

Whether or not the next major U.S. city experiences riots—or if protesters organize a sit-in, as Mistral hints—citizens might face an unpleasant surprise. Police departments could now have a new, odor-based crowd-control tool ready for use.