Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Main Takeaways
- In a crucial move, Israel National Security Minister Ben Gvir announces substantial weapons procurement for civilian security teams.
- Immediate provision of acquired assault rifles, helmets, and bulletproof vests aims to bolster civilian defenses against threats.
- Previous shortages of weaponry during crucial conflicts spotlight the urgent necessity of this new armament strategy.
Table of contents
- Main Takeaways
- Ben Gvir Amplifies Civilian Security Armament
- Prompt Distribution of Assault Rifles and Protective Gear
- The New Licensing System
- Previous Shortcomings in Civilian Defenses Highlighted
- Detailed Strategy for Enhanced Civilian Security
- “Guardian of the Walls 2” – An Assertive Stance
- Civilian Security’s Historical Context and Challenges
- Encounters with Hamas Highlight Equipment Disparities
- Coordinating Firearm Distribution
Ben Gvir Amplifies Civilian Security Armament
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, revealed on Tuesday a pivotal move of purchasing 10,000 rifles to enhance civilian security teams’ capabilities amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
He notes this approach is crucial for towns near Israel’s perimeters and in diverse demographic areas to fortify defense capabilities, reports The Times of Israel.
Prompt Distribution of Assault Rifles and Protective Gear
4,000 assault rifles, along with helmets and bulletproof vests, have been procured from an Israeli manufacturer for immediate distribution.
This move addresses previous instances where civilian security groups found themselves under-equipped during critical moments, such as during Saturday’s assault on southern Israel.
The New Licensing System
הנחתי היום את האגף לרישוי כלי יריה לצאת למבצע חירום, על מנת לאפשר לאזרחים רבים ככל האפשר להתחמש.
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) October 8, 2023
התוכנית תיכנס לתקפה תוך 24 שעות, להלן עיקריה:
1. כל אזרח שעומד בתבחינים המפורטים לנשיאת כלי יריה פרטי בשל הגנה עצמית ושירות כוחות הביטחון, והוא ללא עבר פלילי או רפואי ידרש לעבור…
(Tweet Transcribed)
Today I directed the Firearms Licensing Division to go on an emergency operation, in order to allow as many citizens as possible to arm themselves. The plan will take effect within 24 hours, below are its main points:
- 1. Any citizen who meets the detailed tests for carrying a private firearm due to self-defense and serving the security forces, and is without a criminal or medical record, will be required to undergo a telephone interview instead of a physical interview, and will be able to receive permission to carry a firearm within a week. (Self-defense tests: residence in an eligible settlement, rifle veterans 07 and above, officers in the rank of lieutenant and above and combatants in the rank of major and above in the IDF and the security forces, service in special units, firefighters, policemen, and workers and volunteers in the rescue forces).
- 2. Any citizen who received a conditional permit to purchase a firearm and did not purchase a firearm during the year 2023 and the conditional license has expired, will be able to purchase a firearm now without the need to submit another application. The exemption will apply to about 4000 citizens.
- 3. Any citizen who deposited his weapon in the last six months due to failure to perform refresher training or renewal training, will be able to receive his weapon back. The exemption will apply to about 1800 citizens.
- 4. In addition, starting next Tuesday, conditional permits to carry firearms will be issued with a permit allowing the purchase of up to 100 bullets instead of 50 today.
Previous Shortcomings in Civilian Defenses Highlighted
Ben Gvir’s announcement follows reports of civilian security teams lacking adequate weaponry to counter Hamas terrorists during recent confrontations.
This acknowledgment of previous shortfalls underlines the strategic importance of the new acquisitions and distribution efforts.
Detailed Strategy for Enhanced Civilian Security
Ben Gvir outlines the strategy: distributing new weapons and gear to “hundreds of towns” with civilian security squads.
Teams, sometimes staffed by civilian volunteers from the Border Police, are key to localized security.
Furthermore, areas currently without such teams will see new units established, reinforcing security infrastructures amidst the ongoing conflict.
“Guardian of the Walls 2” – An Assertive Stance
“We will turn the world upside down so that towns are protected. I have given instructions for massively arming the civilian security teams to provide solutions for towns and cities, and so as not to leave towns unprotected, preparations will be made for a Guardian of the Walls 2,” declared Ben Gvir, indicating a firm, proactive stance towards ensuring towns are adequately safeguarded.
Civilian Security’s Historical Context and Challenges
Civilian security teams, pivotal in safeguarding small towns and Israeli peripheries, notably defended residents from the Hamas invasion before IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reinforcements arrived.
However, about three years ago, the IDF withdrew firearms from some teams following repeated weapon thefts – an issue widely reported in 2021.
Encounters with Hamas Highlight Equipment Disparities
Team members revealed to Calcalist newspaper that recent engagements with Hamas saw them combating assault rifles, grenades, and anti-tank missiles with merely pistols, spotlighting the crucial need for enhanced equipment and armament.
“The IDF took our rifles recently, they left us with just a few. We repelled a Hamas commando terror cell with just pistols,” one member told the Calcalist.
Coordinating Firearm Distribution
With the firearm procurement announcement, Ben Gvir introduced retired deputy police commissioner Shimon Lavi as the ministerial coordinator, overseeing the efficient distribution of firearms to civilian security teams, ensuring structured and strategic implementation of this new initiative.
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the israeli government is more afraid of its citizens owning guns than the terrorists. most of the people are left wing socialists too. they dont want freedom, they want to live in a police nanny state. i could care less what happens to israel. this talk of arming the public is just lip service. even if a couple thousand people do manage to get a rifle ,once the threat is gone they will take the weapons back and their 100 rounds of ammo. the place is an oppressive socialist regime and they should not be supported by us or anyone. let me them fend for themselves and fail as a gun control obsessed nation should.
We get it you’re a antisemite, now run along you bigot.
need to stand for that never again thing folks. government even of the people can’t be trusted.may peace come to Israel but until then be ready for war
Evil can only be confronted with a superior response. Disarmed people are ripe for the slaughter and all governments seem to want it that way. The question is why?
Most likely all BS. What an absolutely horrible country to live in. Is it bc they are surrounded by 5 countries that have been attacking them since 1948 and still want to drive them into the sea? no. Is it bc of daily terrorism attacks within their borders? no. It is bc of an oppressive socialist government that aggressively pursues gun control on its own citizens and denies them the right to self defense, own guns and ammo. yes, its a gun control nightmare over there. SCREW the Israeli government. We should not support a socialist regime that denies basic freedoms.
It appears to me that Isreal is arming citizens to protect the State from Hamas!
This is a far cry from allowing citizens to arm themselves for their own security! Un-trained civilians given guns by the state are just cannon fodder in modern warfare!!
So you support Israeli “citizens” being armed but NOT US “citizens”? How is arming Israeli settlers a “far cry” from US citizens like ranchers protecting themselves from Narco terrorists?
That local defense teams have to buy their own rifles is bad enough, but an ammo purchase limit of 100 rounds for people that may be in a firefight is ridiculous. The previous limit of 50 was laughable, not even allowing enough ammo for a decent practice session.
This guy is clueless – vows to create new defense teams and support the existing ones, then cripples those teams with his rules.
smh
He’s a religious nutjob.
I never understood how Israel of all places would not allow all its citizens to be armed, and own firearms. Considering that almost everyone serves in the military and is very proficient in their use in combat. How many people died that had no way to defend themselves, or their friends, family, or fellow citizens. It’s unfortunate that it took this atrocity to wake them up to this fact.
This is a start but still too onerous a process. Especially considering the threats they face. Every able-bodied Israeli is required to serve time in the military. That alone should be enough to prove weapons training and competence. Why are they required to show more? I get screening for criminal history or mental issues. But an Israeli military veteran shouldn’t need to be screened beyond that.
With the BARBARIAN HAHAmas PUT-DOWN, Distribute the equipment to the LAWFUL Subjects(?)/Citizens(?) of Israel! The BARBARIANS will not need the equipment ever again!
I remember many years ago (1994) Chuck Schumer held a image of a rifle during a media event, probably an AR type, and stated something along the lines that there was no place for this in a civil society for these weapons. I wondered if he actully intended to include Israel in that statement? Schumer should end his trips to China, and retire.
problem there is….where do you find a civil society…….so ban them there
My point is that Schumer should explain whether he supports disarming Israeli citizens in the same measures that he has called for in the US? Hopefully he will explain while he retires.
So Israel’s firearm restrictions have gone from horrible to barely less horible. Whoop-de-doo.
On a different subject, where were Hamas’s AK47s and RPGs manufactured? What path did they take to arrive in the hands of Hamas? Ditto for the Taliban in Afghanistan.
“Where did HAMAS weapons come from?”
Many from the billions of dollars of weapons and ammo that Brandon gave to the Taliban when he ordered the unconditional surrender of US forces in Afghanistan. What a POS.
Yeah, we know that about the recently introduced U.S. manufactured weapons. The question was where were the com-bloc weapons made and how did they get there.
Nothing like shutting the barn door after the horses run free.
Israel needed to reform & still does their gun control laws. If this wasn’t the wake up call what is? There should be a regulation that every man & woman should have & be trained with a military rifle as they do in Switzerland. They should have to qualify yearly with it. Never Again should there be photos from balconies showing terrorist driving through towns unchallenged. Next time let there be photos of dead terrorists lining the streets.
I was surprised to learn only 2% of Israeli citizens are armed. I would like to see all mentally and physically capable citizens trained and armed including the Arab citizens. People treat each other better when they know you are not defenseless.
Seriously, why is that a question. Law abiding citizens of Israel who are confident with a weapon should be armed. Most are required to have served in their military already.
Yamamoto: you cannot invade mainland America. There is a rifle behind every blade of grass… the Israelis should heed the warning for themselves
Hey lefties, learn from this……….you arm the potential victims and quit giving guns to the bad guys!
Israel (and the U.S.) need a Minute-Man type militia that can deploy from home on little notice to secure their neighborhoods.
It worked for the United States in the past and would have mitigated the recent attack on Israel.