“I remember back about 20 years ago the idea of Jews with guns in America was very fringe. It was considered very much of an extreme position,” [Cherev Gidon Israeli Tactical Training Academy Director Yonatan Stern] explains.
‘Now I am seeing, since October 7, all these people who are hardcore, lifelong Democrats, who contributed to anti-gun groups and were actively pushing for British-style gun control in America, have completely turned around and changed their attitude.
“Since October 7, I would say most American Jews support the idea of having armed congregants, and synagogues support the idea of private gun ownership. You see people going into synagogues openly carrying guns all over America. It’s normalised now.
“I was just contacted last week by a woman who said, ‘I’ve always hated guns. The idea of having a gun is disgusting. I’ve always been terrified of guns, but now I want to get a gun because I see that we are in danger.’ She saw on TV these massive protests by hundreds of thousands of Palestinian supporters, Hamas supporters in Washington and in New York City, calling to globalise the intifada, which really means, let’s bring terrorism to America, let’s attack American Jews.
“I’m getting a lot more women and maybe older people than in the past who were terrified of guns. Their fear and their political ideology, which is anti-gun, has now been overcome by their fear of terrorism.
“People in America are realising you can’t rely on the government. Your defence is on you. You have to protect yourself and your family and those around you. You can’t wait for the police to arrive. It’ll be too late. You’ve got to be armed.
— Ben Clerkin in Fearful American Jews arm up and flock to the gun range
