The Israel Police will be expanding their use of firearms against stone-throwers in the south of the country, as authorities struggle to contend with the rise of riots and violence.<br />The issue was raised after several recent instances of Bedouin youth throwing stones at cars driving on Route 31 near Dimona, and the roads near Arad, Rahat, and Segev Shalom.<br />Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein approved the use of Ruger rifles by the police following the violent events involving stones and firebombs being thrown at cars and homes in Jerusalem.<br />The security discussions about stone-throwers have not addressed protests in Tel Aviv, where demonstrators often throw stones at policemen, nor ultra-Orthodox protests against the draft or desecration of Shabbat, which often result in policemen being wounded by stones.
