Ben Gvir excludes Neturei Karta community from gun licensing expansion in Beit Shemesh

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir extended Israel's civilian gun licensing reform to the city of Beit Shemesh, while explicitly excluding the anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox community Neturei Karta. Ben Gvir justified the exclusion by labeling the group as enemies due to their advocacy for Palestinian causes and association with the PLO. Since Ben Gvir took office, firearm licensing regulations have been eased, resulting in approximately 300,000 new licenses granted and the expansion of eligibility to more than 200 communities nationwide.

Consequences

The decision underscores the use of administrative policy to differentiate between citizens based on political ideology and alignment with the state. This selective expansion formalizes a divide where specific neighborhoods are denied the capacity for self-defense as defined by the minister's policy, while the broader, rapid increase in civilian firearm access continues despite expert warnings regarding rising violence.

Sources

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