Israel's gun laws are strict. Despite the many security threats facing Israelis, and a horrific record of terror attacks, no Israeli can simply walk into a store and buy a weapon. While some soldiers take their weapons home when they go on leave, Israel’s Ministry of Interior only licenses guns to private individuals who can prove they work or live in dangerous areas, such as the West Bank, or work as security guards in specific sectors. Several levels of screening are involved and permit renewals are mandatory every three years.
Nonetheless, Israeli lawmakers have a great deal in common with their counterparts on Capitol Hill. Both are hostages of powerful, single-interest lobbies that represent small but vocal minorities. Like America’s National Rifle Association (NRA), Israel’s national religious settlers cynically corrupt the intentions and spirit of their founding fathers to justify their agenda and their very existence, and the actions of both groups have disastrous consequences for their fellow citizens.