Beit Shemesh Designated Eligible for Gun Licenses, With Exceptions

The city of Beit Shemesh has been recognized as an "eligible settlement" for firearm licensing as part of an expanded national gun reform initiative led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. However, several streets in the Hefetzba and Ramah Bet neighborhoods have been excluded from this eligibility. The Ministry stated these excluded areas are home to extremists identified with the Neturei Karta movement.

The decision followed a review by the Israel Police and the licensing and supervision department of firearms. Residents in the approved areas can now apply for personal firearm licenses, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and licensing procedures.

Specific streets excluded in Hefetzba include Ben Ish Hai, Yosef Karo, Rav Tzadka Yehuda, Chafetz Chaim, Ben Zion Abba Shaul, and Chida, along with addresses Levi Eshkol 2-8 and 61-75. In Ramah Bet, excluded streets are Rav Akiva, Rashbi, Hillel, Rav Leivitz, Yehuda HaNasi, Rashbag, Rav Yehoshua, Mitzpe Harashap, Admor MiBelz, Machzikei Hadat, Tchelet Mordechai, Ohel Yehoshua, Kedushat Aharon, Dvor Shalom, Rav Pinchas Ben Yair, and Herzog Boulevard. All other areas of Beit Shemesh are included.

This designation is part of a broader expansion of the gun reform. In 2021, only six settlements were recognized, and none in 2019, 2020, or 2022. In contrast, 23 settlements were approved in 2023, 21 in 2024, and 80 in 2025. Since the beginning of 2026, 126 settlements have been recognized, bringing the total to over 200 eligible settlements since the reform's expansion. Approximately 300,000 citizens have received personal gun licenses under the expanded reform.

Minister Ben-Gvir expressed pride in the expansion, stating, "To the residents of Beit Shemesh, the normal ones, like all citizens of the State of Israel, who love the State of Israel, have a basic right to defend themselves and their families." He reiterated his intention to continue expanding eligibility to more cities and neighborhoods, emphasizing, "My policy is clear: guns in the right hands save lives!" Regarding the excluded streets, Ben-Gvir added, "But whoever boasts the PLO flag and poses for photos with terrorists is an enemy, and therefore the neighborhoods of extremists were excluded from firearm eligibility."