Israeli Minister Approves Personal Gun Licenses for Residents of Crime-Ridden City Hadera

The Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has approved including the city of Hadera in the list of municipalities eligible for residents to apply for personal gun licenses. This decision comes amid rising violent crime and claims of lost governmental control in the city. Hadera, once a quiet city in the Sharon region, has recently become a hotspot for organized crime, with multiple local gangs and senior criminals vying for control over extortion rackets and loan sharking, severely impacting public safety and quality of life.

Since the expansion of the personal gun license reform, over 280,000 licenses have been issued nationwide. Ben-Gvir emphasized the right of citizens to protect themselves and their families, stating, "My policy is clear: guns in the right hands save lives." Hadera's mayor, Nir Ben Haim, welcomed the decision, calling it a significant step toward enhancing personal security and pledging to continue efforts to improve safety in the city.

The move follows growing public concern and criticism of police effectiveness in Hadera, with local authorities highlighting the escalation of violent crime and the influence of organized crime groups. The inclusion of Hadera in the gun license eligibility list aligns it with other municipalities added in recent years under the national security reform aimed at empowering residents to defend themselves.