In the wake of a deadly attack in Jerusalem, synagogues throughout Israel have been instructed to place security guards at their entrances.
Israel’s public security minister, Yitzhak Aharonovich, also announced that his office would ease requirements for gun licenses.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security consultation in his Jerusalem office following the Nov. 18 attack on the Bnei Torah Kehillat Yaakov synagogue in western Jerusalem that left five dead, including three with dual Israeli-U.S. citizenship.
Netanyahu ordered the demolition of the homes of the two Palestinians who perpetrated the attack, according to a statement from his office following the meeting.
“The destruction of terrorists’ homes sends a sharp, clear message to those who wish to harm Israeli civilians and security forces that terrorism and causing harm to innocents carries with it a heavy price,” the IDF said in a statement.
A series of additional decisions also were made to strengthen security throughout the country, the statement said.
Following the attack, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the Sephardi chief rabbi of Israel, said Jews in Israel should not pray in a synagogue unless there is an armed guard. Yosef called on the government to help in funding the extra security. — jta