Published reports from Israel reveal efforts to arm more private citizens in the wake of attacks launched by terrorists based in Gaza, who have murdered hundreds of civilians and kidnapped others, igniting a war.
According to the Times of Israel, National Security Advisor Itamar Ben Gvir has “championed” efforts to relax the nation’s restrictive gun laws. With a rising body count and more violence anticipated, Ben Gvir posted this message on social media: “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.”
According to the Associated Press, fighting has claimed an estimated 2,100 lives “on both sides.” Israeli air strikes appear to have devastated large sections of the Gaza Strip. Among the dead are at least ten U.S. citizens, various reports indicate.
Audacy.com is reporting that changes in Israeli gun laws will, “cover changes to interview processes, expired permits, some training requirements and more.”
The Times of Israel report noted that Rabbi Raz Blizovsky—described as “an activist who has been part of the grassroots discussions around personal arms”—started several online groups “for those who wish to have easier access to personal weapons.”
“They have drawn some 4,000 members in 24 hours,” the story noted.
Israel does not have a Second Amendment, which protects the right to keep and bear arms in the U.S.
Blizovsky started an online petition to pressure the government to ease restrictions on gun access, and it garnered around 8,000 signatures in a short time. The Times of Israel report said Blizovsky believes much of the violence in communities along the border with the Gaza Strip “could have been averted.”
Many citizens who previously served in IDF combat roles have reportedly asked about getting weapons.
Reports of depravity including murders of entire families, kidnappings and rapes have surfaced, and in an environment where guns were restricted, now increasing numbers of Israeli citizens want to be armed.
One report at Newsweek.com said thousands of people were attending the Supernova festival early Saturday when the attack was launched. The report said some “Second Amendment proponents” have been vocally critical of music festival policies which prohibited firearms at the event, held in the Negev Desert in southern Israel. Some 250 bodies were reportedly found at that site.
Another revelation by the Times of Israel involved a move in the city of Ashkelon to create a volunteer police force consisting of armed citizens “who already had personal weapon permits,” and local police and military forces to set up “entry control” checkpoints into the city.
