National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir authorized the formal expansion of personal firearm licensing eligibility to 11 additional communities across Samaria on Thursday, advancing ongoing efforts to fortify local civilian security and rapid-response capabilities against hostile threats.
The directive allows qualified residents in the designated localities to submit formal applications for personal handgun permits through the Firearm Licensing Department, subject to standard regulatory requirements, security vetting, and mandatory firearms training. Ministry officials stated that the decision is explicitly tailored to enable rapid civilian neutralization of armed attacks during the initial moments before military or police forces arrive.
The 11 communities and outposts incorporated into the expanded eligibility list are Asif, Ganim, Har Bezek, Homesh, Kadim, Shira, Havat Yair (Lehi), Maoz Zvi (Maoz), Havat Gilad (Nezer Shomron), Sachlav, and Eibal. Several of these communities represent newly formalized towns and historic northern Samaria communities restored under recent government legislation.
The move marks another phase in the broad personal firearms reform championed by Ben-Gvir in the aftermath of the October 7 cross-border invasion by Hamas, which demonstrated the decisive impact of armed civilian first-responders and local security squads (Kitat Konenut) in repelling infiltrators.
“We are continuing the firearm revolution and extending this reform to the communities in Samaria,” Ben-Gvir stated upon authorizing the directive. “The residents of Samaria act as the security flak jacket for the residents of Gush Dan, the Sharon plain, and the seam zone. I am proud to incorporate them into the growing list of eligible communities. We will continue to expand eligibility so as many vetted citizens as possible can protect themselves. My policy remains unambiguous: weapons in the right hands save lives.”
Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan welcomed the decision, noting that a substantial portion of the local population consists of combat veterans, former elite unit operatives, and active IDF reservists who need the means to secure their isolated neighborhoods.
“Samaria is the direct defensive wall protecting the center of the country, the Shfela lowlands, and the Galilee. Anyone who grasps the geography of the State of Israel and its operational security environment understands that Samaria functions as the forward defense line for the entire state.”
Reflecting on operational lessons from southern Israel, Dagan added: “The events of October 7 proved beyond doubt the vital necessity of operational readiness and the requirement to equip residents with the tools to defend their homes. Fortifying the defense of Samaria directly fortifies the security of the entire State of Israel.”