As part of the expansion of the firearms reform led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the city of Beit Shemesh was approved as an "eligible settlement" for firearms licensing, with the exception of a number of streets where "extremist" Haredim live - in the Heftziba and Rama B neighborhoods.
The decision was made after staff work and a professional examination by the Israel Police and professionals in the Firearms Licensing and Supervision Division.
Following the decision, city residents living in approved areas will be able to apply for a personal firearms license based on proof of residence in an eligible locality, subject to meeting the threshold conditions and the licensing procedure.
The streets where the extremists live who were not included in the eligibility:
Heftziba neighborhood: Ben Ish Chai, Yosef Karo, Rabbi Tzedaka Yehuda, Chofetz Chaim, Ben Zion Abba Shaul, Chida, Levi Eshkol 2-8, 61-75.
Rama B neighborhood: Rabbi Akiva, Rashbi, Hillel, Rabbi Levitas, Yehuda Hanassi, Rashbag, Rabbi Yehoshua, Mitzpe Har-Pashp, the Rebbe of Belza, the Holders of Religion, Tekleth Mordechai, Ohel Yehoshua, Kedushat Aharon, Dover Shalom, Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair and Herzog Street.
All other streets and neighborhoods in Beit Shemesh, except those mentioned, will be eligible to be issued a firearms license.
The data illustrates the scope of the revolution in firearms reform: in 2021, only 6 localities were recognized as eligible for weapons, in 2019, 2020, and 2022, not a single locality was approved, in 2023, 23 localities were recognized, in 2024, 21 localities were recognized, in 2025, 80 localities were recognized, and as of the beginning of 2026, 126 localities have already been recognized - an unprecedented figure that reflects the expansion of the firearms reform led by Minister Ben Gvir.
Since the expansion of the reform, approximately 300,000 citizens have already received a personal firearms license, and over 200 localities have been recognized as eligible for firearms.
Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir: "I am proud to continue the gun revolution and expand it to Beit Shemesh. The residents of Beit Shemesh, the normative ones, like all citizens of the State of Israel, who love the State of Israel, have a basic right to defend themselves and their families. We will continue to expand gun reform, add more cities, towns and neighborhoods to eligibility, and ensure that as many citizens as possible can defend themselves and the State of Israel. My policy is clear: guns in the right hands save lives!
""But anyone who proudly displays the PLO flag and takes pictures with terrorists is an enemy, and therefore the extremist neighborhoods were excluded from the right to weapons.".
