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 wea...
