In response to the persistent demonstrations opposing the government's judicial overhaul, the Israel Police is taking proactive measures to enhance its readiness and capability to manage the public gatherings. Recent tenders released by the police in collaboration with the National Security Ministry seek potential suppliers to submit proposals for various riot-control equipment.

Several tenders explicitly indicate that the purpose of the procurement is to bolster the police's ability to effectively manage the ongoing demonstrations, which have been a recurring occurrence since the unveiling of the government's judicial overhaul plans earlier this year. For instance, a tender published in June 2023 for batons highlights their requirement for riot dispersal and crowd control. The tender explicitly states anticipation of increased procurement compared to prior periods.

Notably, recent data reveals that in previous years, the Israel Police spent an annual average of 50,000 shekels ($14,000) on batons, sufficient to purchase approximately 400 units. However, the current tender reflects the police's intent to double the quantity of batons procured, indicative of the heightened need amidst the ongoing demonstrations.

Furthermore, the police department is seeking to acquire tactical gloves designed for officers working in areas of unrest. The procurement request outlines a desire for 2,000 pairs of gloves, signifying a nearly 20 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Another tender pertains to the rental of fences and crowd-control barriers, aimed at preventing the unrestricted movement of large groups of people. These structures, with their weight and specialized design, facilitate the complete closure of roads. Notably, the recent increase in the use of these measures as demonstrated by the tenders reflects the challenges posed by the ongoing demonstrations. In the case of a spontaneous organized demonstration, the supplier would be required to deploy the equipment within four hours, as stated in the tender. The tender also discloses the significant financial resources dedicated to these measures. In the initial seven months of the year, the Israel Police incurred expenditures of around 4 million shekels ($1.1 million) on fencing and 1.4 million shekels ($390,000) on crowd-control barriers, a substantial rise from the previous year's expenses.

Simultaneously, the police are seeking to procure sponge grenades, a projectile with distinctive features designed for controlled dispersal. The precise motivations for this procurement, however, remain ambiguous within the tender documentation. Additionally, reports from financial media outlet Calcalist indicate the police's recent tender for six new water cannons.

As the Israel Police continues to navigate the challenges posed by ongoing demonstrations, their proactive approach to enhancing riot-control resources raises questions about the scale and nature of the unrest they anticipate managing.