Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has approved the issuance of gun licences to residents of 18 additional Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The decision applies to settlements regarded as illegal under international law and was announced on Wednesday by the minister, a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government.
Mr Ben-Gvir said the move would allow residents of the settlements to apply for personal weapon licences, describing it as a measure to enhance self-defence and personal security. He said more than 240,000 Israelis have received gun permits since the expansion of the policy, compared with about 8,000 permits issued annually in previous years.
Also Read: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Approves Expansion of Controversial West Bank Settlements
Israeli authorities say the arming of settlers is necessary for safety, but the United Nations and rights groups have linked the policy to a rise in violence against Palestinians. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said more than 1,800 settler attacks against Palestinians were recorded in 2025, affecting around 280 communities across the West Bank.
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