The New York Times reported that over a quarter million Israelis have applied for gun permits since October 7, as concerns mount regarding the proliferation of private firearms. A former Israeli security official warned that Tel Aviv would pay a “heavy price” for the widespread private gun ownership.
Tomer Lotan, the previous Director-General of the Israeli National Security Ministry, revealed that in 2022, the Israeli government issued 13,000 firearm carry permits. By October 7 of this year, an additional 23,000 permits were granted. Following the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation on October 7, another 26,000 new permits were approved in less than 8 weeks, by late November. Additionally, 44,000 Israelis received “conditional approval.”
Lotan cautioned that Israel would encounter more incidents of gun violence, an increase in suicides, and everyday conflicts escalating to armed confrontations due to the surge in private weapons.
Security concerns rise as the proliferation of weapons becomes more apparent in Israel. Previously, interviews for obtaining firearm licenses were personal and lasted about 20 minutes, where 20 to 30% of the applicants were rejected. Now, post-conflict, the process has become “rushed,” according to a settler named Zvika Aran. He shared with The New York Times that his interview was conducted via a 20-second phone call.
In recent weeks, numerous photos have spread across social media and news websites, showing Israeli settlers of various ages walking through the streets of the occupied territories, carrying weapons while going about their everyday activities.
Palestinians in the West Bank express fear over more weapons in the hands of extremist Israeli settlers, especially as their violence against Palestinians escalates after “Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has been launching a 71-day offensive on the Gaza Strip, resulting in approximately 19,000 fatalities and 50,000 injuries, alongside immense destruction of residential neighborhoods, infrastructure, and hospitals.
Simultaneously with the Gaza war, the Israeli occupation forces have intensified raids and arrests across West Bank cities and towns, whilst settlers’ attacks on Palestinians increase amid widespread international and Arab condemnation.
