Israel Approves Firing Ranges in 31 West Bank Settlements
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Israeli occupation authorities have approved a plan to establish shooting and weapons training ranges in 31 settlement locations across the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem. The initiative aims to expand infrastructure for arming and training settlers. The plan covers 29 settlements and two industrial zones in multiple governorates. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission warned this could escalate settler violence against Palestinians, calling for protection and accountability.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel approved plans for shooting ranges in 31 West Bank and Jerusalem settlements.
- The initiative aims to expand infrastructure for arming and training settlers.
- The plan covers 29 settlements and two industrial zones across multiple governorates.
- The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission warned of escalating settler violence.
- The commission called for protecting Palestinians and holding settlers accountable.
Israeli occupation authorities have approved a plan to establish shooting and weapons training ranges in 31 settlement locations in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem. This move is expected to expand the infrastructure for arming and training settlers in the use of firearms.
The plan encompasses 29 settlements, settlement clusters, and neighborhoods, in addition to two industrial zones, spread across the governorates of Ramallah, al-Bireh, Jerusalem, Nablus, Jericho, and the Jordan Valley, according to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. The commission stated on Tuesday that the plan includes the "Makabim" industrial zone, built on the lands of Safa town west of Ramallah, and "Tel Mariam," known as "Sha'ar Binyamin," in the Jerusalem Governorate. Its geographical scope extends from south of Nablus and the vicinity of Jerusalem to the eastern areas towards Jericho and the Jordan Valley.
The commission explained that the plan designates shooting ranges as permissible uses within lands allocated for public buildings and institutions, tourism, commercial, and industrial facilities, alongside sports, recreational, and craft establishments. This provides a planning framework for expanding shooting training facilities and qualifying arms holders. This initiative follows previous Israeli directives, including a 2022 government list that licensed nine shooting ranges in West Bank settlements such as Ariel, Karnei Shomron, Ma'on, and Alon Shvut.
Citing a 2024 document from the economic company affiliated with the "Mateh Binyamin" settlement council, the commission noted a project to operate a shooting range in the Psagot settlement in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate. The need for this range was linked to a surge in weapons license applications following the events of October 7, 2023. The company pledged to cover the costs of establishing the range and its access roads, highlighting the role of institutions affiliated with settlement councils in financing these facilities.
The commission emphasized that the plan's approval offers broader planning cover for establishing shooting ranges, although the construction and operation of each range still require necessary permits. It warned of the danger of expanding weapons training facilities amid escalating settler attacks against Palestinians, noting the protection and support provided by occupation forces. The commission called for protecting Palestinians and holding settlers and those enabling their armament accountable.