Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan has initiated measures to distribute firearms licenses to members of the haredi community, as the Israeli government continues to grapple with an ongoing wave of Palestinian Arab terrorism targeting Israeli Jews.
Palestinian propaganda calling for attacks usually features crude stereotypes of Jews dressed in the black hats and garb of haredi men, which has led to members of the community being disproportionately killed or maimed in terror attacks. Since haredim overwhelmingly do not serve in the army few of them have weapons training or are eligible to apply for a gun license - making them easier targets for knife-wielding attackers.
Erdan's measure specifically aims to distribute gun licenses to those haredim who have served in the IDF, and who live in haredi neighborhoods and communities, in order to shorten the response time to attacks in those areas and avoid harming civilians as much as possible.
As part of the process initiated by the Minister, the Nahal Haredi Foundation will construct a list of IDF haredi combat veterans who currently live in haredi neighborhood and towns. This list will be inspected by the Israeli police and under its recommendations, the applicable graduates will be given licenses to carry weapons.
It follows related measures by Erdan in October which, among things, made it easier for haredi rabbis and other educators to apply for gun licenses.
"This initiative will provide a solution to the existing lack of weapons in haredi population centers," Erdan said, noting how armed civilians have in several cases succeeded in putting a swift end to Arab attacks even before police arrive.
"Civilians who are skilled in operating weaponry are a force multiplier in our struggle against terror, therefore, I have acted to ease the restriction for weapons carrying for the haredi public as well, the public which is the main target of the heinous murderers."
Col. (ret.) Yonatan Branski, Director General of the Nahal Haredi Foundation lauded the move.
"We are grateful to minister Erdan and to Rotem Peleg, CEO of the office of Public Security for their fast and efficient engagement on this issue," he said.
"Since the current wave of terrorism began we have received dozens of requests from 'Nahal Haredi' graduates who wish to aid in light of the fact that they have experience in the use of weapons," he continued, referring to the IDF infantry battalion (now known as Netzah Yehuda) which was founded to accommodate haredi recruits. "We hope and pray that this move will unnecessary. Although, in case the terror continues, this move might be able to save many lives."