Jerusalem among safest cities, mayor says, citing ‘zero misuse’ of guns

Mayor Nir Barkat says Jerusalem is one of the safest cities in the world due to “zero misuse” of guns.

By: JNS.org and World Israel News

Despite the constant threat of terror in Israel’s capital city, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has announced that “Jerusalem is one of the safest cities in the world.”

Supporting his claim, the mayor stated that the “murder rate in Jerusalem is only one per every 100,000 residents, which is far lower than most major cities.”

“We have zero misuse of guns,” Barkat said.

The statements were made to a delegation of American Jewish leaders in Israel with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Barkat raised the issue as American leaders grapple with controlling gun violence in cities and suburban areas.

Barkat explained that there are many reasons why Jerusalem is safer than most metropolitan centers. First, Barkat explained, “we have the best secret service” with superior active intelligence capabilities to prevent terror attacks before they occur.

‘People care about one another’

Next, “our public is extremely alert, and are always looking for something suspicious…and alerting professionals whenever they see something,” Barkat stated.

Citing the character of Jerusalemites, Barkat noted that “people care very much about one another” and “look out for one another’s wellbeing,” more than can be found in most American cities.

Barkat similarly noted that Jerusalemites are trained in dealing with Arab terror, including the fact that a large number of Jerusalem residents have served in the military, with many actively called up annually for reserve duty.

If and when a terror attack occurs, unlike foreign cities where the first instinct would be to take cover, Jerusalemites “are willing to take risks” to protect their fellow citizens.

“A terrorist attack is usually over in 60 seconds because people care and are willing to take charge, even at risk to their own lives,” Barkat said. “Many times, civilians know how to tackle terrorists better than police. Because we are trained in war.”

Indeed, Barkat himself has taken an active role in capturing a terrorist during an attack in the Israeli capital. In February 2015, he and his bodyguard, who happened to be driving by, grabbed an 18-year-old Arab who had stabbed and wounded a Jewish man and held him down until police arrived.

Civilian handguns are an essential component of Israel’s security apparatus, yet Barkat pointed out that “only three percent of the population carries guns, and those who have them know how to use them.”

“This is why I always encourage those with handguns to carry them,” Barkat said.

BarkatConference of Presidents of Major American Jewish OrganizationsGun controlJerusalem