more and more Israeli women training in shooting ranges

Be prepared for any eventuality. Yahel, 24, spends more and more time at a shooting center in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. She is not a soldier, but a civilian who has just obtained her weapons license. A necessity for her, especially since the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7. “It’s a real feeling of security, because today I have the possibility to defend myself and protect others if I come across someone who wants to do harm. With a weapon, I have a fair chance”confides the young woman. “Attacks against us happen everywhere, in the West Bank or in the most remote areas”she laments.

These women who arm themselves often live in settlements in the occupied West Bank. Since October 7, the Israeli authorities have eased the measures allowing men and women to obtain a weapon. According to official figures, 42,000 Israeli women applied for a permit, and 18,000 applications were approved. This is why more and more of them are training in the shooting centers made available to them.