Judea and Samaria leaders outraged as US sets conditions on rifle sales

(JNS) — Judea and Samaria leaders sharply criticized the Biden administration on Monday following a report that it had barred a shipment of rifles from going to Israeli civilian volunteer defense forces.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that U.S. State Department officials had received “assurances” from Jerusalem that 24,000 M-16 rifles to be purchased from the United States by Israel would only go to uniformed police officers.

Many Israeli towns and villages, particularly in Judea and Samaria, have armed volunteer defense forces, called “kitot konenut.” Armed and trained by the state, an...