42,000 Women in Israel Apply for Gun Permits Amid War in Gaza

In the wake of the historic October 7 attack by Hamas, a profound sense of insecurity has swept across Israel. 

This unprecedented event has triggered a dramatic increase in the number of women applying for gun permits. 

According to data from the security ministry, since the attack, 42,000 women have sought gun permits, with 18,000 of these applications being approved. 

This surge represents more than double the number of women who held licenses prior to the conflict.

The relaxation of firearms regulations under the far-right security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Israel’s right-wing government has facilitated this increase. 

More than 15,000 women now own firearms in Israel and the occupied West Bank, and 10,000 are currently enrolled in mandatory training programs. 

These figures underscore a significant shift in the approach to personal security among Israeli women.

Limor Gonen, a political science professor, shared her perspective on this change during a weapons handling class in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. 

"I would have never thought of buying a weapon or getting a permit, but since October 7, things changed a little bit," she told AFP. 

Gonen's sentiment reflects a broader trend of women seeking to defend themselves in the aftermath of the attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people in Israel, mostly civilians. 

The retaliatory offensive in Gaza has been devastating, with at least 37,431 people killed, predominantly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

While the immediate catalyst for the surge in gun permits was the Hamas attack, the groundwork for this shift was laid earlier. 

Ben Gvir had already pledged to reform firearms legislation when he assumed the role of security minister in late 2022. 

His promise to raise the number of civilians holding weapons and enhance self-defense capacity has materialized in the current context.

The process for obtaining a gun license has been expedited, with reports indicating that authorities cleared hundreds of permits daily in the immediate aftermath of the attack. 

Eligibility criteria for gun ownership in Israel now include being a citizen or permanent resident over the age of 18, having a basic command of Hebrew, and securing medical clearance. 

However, these requirements have made it nearly impossible for non-Jews to obtain a permit, a point of contention in the broader debate.

Ben Gvir’s approach has not been without controversy. In March, he celebrated civilian weapon ownership passing the 100,000 mark while displaying his own gun at a rally. 

Critics argue that his rush to arm ordinary Israelis is dangerous. 

The Gun Free Kitchen Tables Coalition, an initiative founded by feminist activists, has condemned this civilian arms race. 

A spokesperson for the group, which comprises 18 organizations, stated, "The increase of weapons in the civilian space leads to an increase in violence and murder against women. It’s time for the state to understand that individual safety is its responsibility."

The decision to arm women as a form of empowerment is seen by some as a strategy of far-right settlers rather than a genuine feminist act. 

As the debate continues, the surge in gun permits among Israeli women reflects deep-seated fears and a desire for self-protection in a time of heightened tension and violence.