Tel Aviv / PNN /

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday authorized an additional 100,000 Israelis to become eligible for private firearm licenses, as part of his controversial gun policy.

Ben-Gvir’s office said in a statement: “Today, Minister Ben-Gvir approved the addition of new cities to the list of localities eligible for a private firearm license.”

According to his office, around 230,000 new gun permits have been issued since the policy was introduced.

Ben-Gvir launched the initiative—expanding civilian access to weapons, including for settlers in the occupied West Bank—at the end of 2023 following the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza.