New Plastic Bullets Used Against Arabs

The Israeli army said Monday that it has begun using plastic bullets designed to injure but not kill Arab protesters.

A spokesman said the Israel-made plastic bullets will improve the army’s ability to break up riots while minimizing deaths.

Military officials said the plastic bullets resemble regular shells but contain less gunpowder and travel slower.

Rubber bullets have not proven effective because of their relatively short range, they said.The army has also used tear gas, plastic pellets, gravel and truncheons to disperse Arab demonstrators.