Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has given his approval for gun licenses to be issued to Israelis living in 18 additional settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move is seen as part of a wider effort by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to expand and legitimize illegal outposts that undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
Ben-Gvir claimed that the new settlements will now be able to submit applications for personal weapon licenses, citing the need to "enhance self-defence and increase personal security." The move is likely to embolden settler groups who have already been armed with military-grade weapons.
According to reports, Israeli settlers living in the occupied West Bank have enjoyed widespread impunity when carrying out attacks against Palestinians. A recent armament programme spearheaded by Ben-Gvir has further escalated tensions, with more than 1,800 settler attacks documented last year alone - a rate of about five per day.
The expansion of settlements and the granting of gun licenses to settlers are seen as major obstacles to peace efforts. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Israel's continued presence in occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and should come to an end "as rapidly as possible."
Meanwhile, a total of 240 Palestinians, including 55 children, were killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank last year, according to UN data. The situation remains dire, with more than 280 communities across the West Bank affected by settler attacks.
The move has sparked widespread criticism and condemnation from human rights groups and international organizations, who have long documented the forced displacement of Palestinians from their ancestral lands.
Ben-Gvir claimed that the new settlements will now be able to submit applications for personal weapon licenses, citing the need to "enhance self-defence and increase personal security." The move is likely to embolden settler groups who have already been armed with military-grade weapons.
According to reports, Israeli settlers living in the occupied West Bank have enjoyed widespread impunity when carrying out attacks against Palestinians. A recent armament programme spearheaded by Ben-Gvir has further escalated tensions, with more than 1,800 settler attacks documented last year alone - a rate of about five per day.
The expansion of settlements and the granting of gun licenses to settlers are seen as major obstacles to peace efforts. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Israel's continued presence in occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and should come to an end "as rapidly as possible."
Meanwhile, a total of 240 Palestinians, including 55 children, were killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank last year, according to UN data. The situation remains dire, with more than 280 communities across the West Bank affected by settler attacks.
The move has sparked widespread criticism and condemnation from human rights groups and international organizations, who have long documented the forced displacement of Palestinians from their ancestral lands.
It's like, don't get me wrong, personal security is important, but isn't that something the state is supposed to handle? And what about the fact that these settlers are basically living on occupied land and have already shown they're not afraid to carry out attacks against Palestinians? 
I mean, I understand Ben-Gvir's rhetoric about "enhancing self-defence", but it just sounds like a way to justify their own actions. And let's be real, this is just going to make things worse in the long run... 
i mean, can't we all just get along? these settlers think they're entitled to live in this land like it's their own personal playground? meanwhile, ppl like benjamin netanyahu are just making things worse and emboldening the bad guys... i'm literally shaking my head over here 
and what really gets me is that there are so many of us out there who are actually trying to make a difference - supporting peace efforts, advocating for human rights... but it's like, does anyone even listen? 
. Just another move to legitimize those illegal settlements in the West Bank. It's like, we already know settlers have been armed to the teeth and causing chaos... why do we need more guns? 
. Meanwhile, Palestinians are still facing unimaginable violence and displacement. It's like the international community is watching, but not doing anything about it 
. Just so tired of all this hate-filled politics 
and you'd think that's enough to deter people from carrying out attacks. But nope! 
Settlers already have access to military-grade stuff and now they're getting licensed to carry personal weapons? That just feels like a recipe for disaster 
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? And what's with the whole 'self-defence' thing? I get it, Israel's got some serious security concerns, but is this really the best way to address them? I'm not saying there aren't better solutions... just that this one feels like a bunch of Band-Aids on a bullet wound 
and they were making these crazy complex desserts with like 10 different ingredients... meanwhile, in real life, people are dealing with actual conflicts over land ownership 
it's just that our own personal struggles feel so much more manageable when we're stuck on a screen 
. so, basically ben-gvir is giving guns to settlers and, voila! instant peace and understanding 
. meanwhile, let's just forget about those 240 palestinians who lost their lives last year... i mean, who needs human rights anyway? 
... settlers think they can just carry guns everywhere? 
Guns don't solve problems 
. Palestinians are already living in fear, now they're gonna be even more scared 
. It's like, how can you expect peace to happen when there are so many armed men and women around? 
. The whole two-state solution thing is just gonna die if this keeps happening... 
. Can't we just have some basic human rights and respect for each other's space 
I get that security is a concern, but isn't there a better way to address it than arming already powerful groups?
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? It's all just a recipe for disaster and will only make things worse 
. Like, come on Netanyahu, can't you see what's happening here? You're basically putting a target on your own back 
. And those stats are wild... 1,800 settler attacks last year alone? That's not just a problem, that's a war crime 
it's not like settlers are just gonna use those guns for sport or something, right? 
the stats are insane - 1,800 settler attacks last year? that's, like, 5 per day... and what about the Palestinians who are getting caught in the middle? 
what's next israeli army uniforms for toddlers? anyway, seriously though, it's getting old watching these settlements just keep popping up and then expecting everyone else to play nice