Israel Expands Arms Program to 11 Samaria Settlements
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir expanded an arms program to 11 settlements in Samaria, allowing residents to apply for firearms. This initiative aims to improve response times to attacks and is part of a broader reform following the October 7th Hamas attack. The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, supported the move, citing the need for civilian readiness on the front lines.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir added 11 Samaria settlements to a resident arms program.
- Residents of these settlements can now apply for personal firearms after security checks.
- The move aims to shorten response times to attacks before security forces arrive.
- This is part of a wider arms licensing reform after the October 7th Hamas attack.
- Samaria's head Yossi Dagan supported the initiative, citing frontline defense needs.
Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has signed an order expanding the government's arms program to include 11 additional settlements in Samaria. Residents of these communities, including Homesh, Ganim, Kadim, Havat Gilad, Asif, Har Bracha, Shvut Rachel, Havat Yair, Ma'oz Tzvi, Sahlav, and Eival, are now eligible to apply for personal firearms. Qualified individuals can request licenses through the relevant department, provided they pass security checks and a shooting course.
Officials from the ministry explained that the initiative aims to reduce the response time to potential attacks before security forces arrive. This decision is part of a broader reform of the weapons licensing system initiated by Ben-Gvir following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Ben-Gvir stated that Samaria residents act as a defensive barrier for central Israel and that armed, trained citizens save lives.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, supported the initiative, noting that many residents are combat reservists and veterans who need tools to defend isolated areas. He emphasized that Samaria serves as a frontline defense for the entire country and that recent events have highlighted the critical need for immediate civilian readiness.
