Ben-Gvir expands gun licensing eligibility to 11 settlements
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'Israeli' National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved on Thursday the expansion of firearm licensing eligibility to encompass 11 additional settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank, according to 'Israeli' Channel 14.
Under the directive, residents living in the specified communities can submit applications for firearm permits provided they meet the ministry's criteria.
The 'Israeli' Ministry of National Security asserts that the measure is intended to enable rapid responses to security threats and fortify defense systems.
The 11 locations and outposts listed in the decision comprise Asef, Ghanim, Har Bizek, Homesh, Kadim, Shira, Havat Yair (Lehi), Maoz Tzvi (Maoz), Havat Gilad (Nazar Shomron), Sahlab, and Ebal.
The policy shift comes amid an ongoing wave of escalating settler violence throughout the occupied West Bank.
Critics and international observers have strongly condemned the expansion, warning that flooding the occupied territory with personal firearms directly risks increasing settler attacks, heightening tensions, and further undermining security for local Palestinian populations.
Wes Bank Regional Council head Yossi Dagan welcomed the directive, echoing Ben-Gvir's push to ease weapons restrictions for settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Ben-Gvir praised the expansion, describing it as a continuation of his ongoing arming campaign.
He alleged that settlers in the occupied West Bank serve as defenders for residents of the Dan block, Sharon region, and seam line area.
"We are continuing the arming revolution and expanding the scope of this reform to include new communities," Ben-Gvir claimed.
He claimed that his office will continue to broaden eligibility criteria to cover additional locations, alleging that "weapons in the right hands save lives".
Despite Ben-Gvir's claims that arming civilians enhances local defense, human rights advocates emphasize that expanding gun access to extremist outposts directly fuels the rising trend of settler attacks and further destabilizes the occupied West Bank.
