Israel Eases Gun Restrictions Following Attack

After a horrific attack at a synagogue yesterday, Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said that he would ease gun control restrictions in order to help Israeli citizens defend themselves against terrorism. He added that the Israeli government is “doing everything we can to prevent [another attack].”

Aharonovitch did not say exactly what the changes would be, but it is thought that he will allow soldiers and security personnel to continue carrying their weapons even when they are not on duty. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis own firearms, although gun ownership there is lower than the United States due to strict gun control laws.

Yesterday’s attacks took place at a synagogue, where two terrorists from East Jerusalem attacked worshippers using a meat cleaver and a gun. They killed four and wounded eight before being shot dead by police. Three of the victims were American citizens.

There have been several attacks in Jerusalem in recent months, including one where a terrorist drove his car through a crowd of people, killing an Israeli-American infant.

President Obama responded to yesterday’s attack with the usual victim blaming, declaring that “too many Palestinians have died” as well as Israelis in the conflict between the two groups.