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Israel expands gun permits to residents of Jerusalem Jewish neighbourhoods
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<span class="field field-title">Israel expands gun permits to residents of Jerusalem Jewish neighbourhoods</span>
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<div class="field field-field-text"><p><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/israel" target="_blank">Israel</a>'s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has authorised residents of Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem to carry firearms, local media <a href="https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2026-03-09/ty-article/.premium/0000019c-d11c-dcff-a3ff-f1be6ba70000" target="_blank">reported</a> on Monday.</p>
<p>Under Ben Gvir’s order, residents of 41 Jewish neighbourhoods in the city can now apply for a licence to carry a gun, part of the far-right minister’s wider policy of expanding civilian gun permits. </p>
<p>Reports suggest that around 300,000 Jewish residents of Jerusalem could now be eligible.</p>
<p>Previously, only those living near the separation wall were permitted to carry firearms, as the areas were deemed high-risk due to their proximity to the occupied West Bank. The latest expansion now includes the western neighbourhoods of the city.</p>
<p>"Especially amid the war and during Ramadan, Jerusalem residents have a basic right to defend themselves and their families," Ben Gvir <a href="https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/20067345" target="_blank">told</a> Israel Hayom on Sunday before issuing the order the day after.</p>
<p>"My policy is clear: a weapon in the right hands saves lives," he added. </p>
<h3><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-expands-firearm-permits-jerusalem-jewish-neighbourhoods">Read more: Israel expands gun permits to residents of Jerusalem Jewish neighbourhoods</a></h3>
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<div alt="Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir shakes hands with a volunteer of the new civilian guard unit while handing out M5 automatic assault rifles in Ashkelon, 27 October 2023 (AFP)" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc7cfa07-ce39-4778-b404-9e996d65a19e" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/000_33Z8797%20%281%29.jpg" width="1400" height="787" alt="Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir shakes hands with a volunteer of the new civilian guard unit while handing out M5 automatic assault rifles in Ashkelon, 27 October 2023 (AFP)" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high">
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<figcaption>Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir shakes hands with a volunteer of the new civilian guard unit while handing out M5 automatic assault rifles in Ashkelon, 27 October 2023 (AFP)</figcaption>
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