Security Tight at Start of Jewish High Holidays After Attack on Israel

U.S. law enforcement agencies are tightening security around Jewish places of worship amid Iran’s latest attack on Israel and the start of the Jewish high holidays Wednesday.

Currently there are no known credible threats, but law enforcement officials have described the potential for violence from so-called “lone wolf” attackers as their most serious concern during the Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the high holidays and begins at sunset Wednesday and ends at nightfall Friday.

Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, will be celebrated beginning Friday at sunset through nightfall on Saturday.

National Jewish security organizations are working with local law enforcement to identify potential threats to houses of worship in the U.S.

“What we have previously told Jewish institutions is that at this time, there is no known credible threat to the Jewish Community in the U.S.,” said Oren Segal, Vice President of the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League, adding the organization recommends places of worship remain open during the high holidays."

“However, given the heightened tensions and increased risk to the community at this time, we recommend institutions review and implement a series of security precautions and procedures,” Segal said.

And the conflict continues. This time, regardless of whether the Iranian attack is effective, Israel will be eager to strike back, former U.S. and Israeli officials said.

“It will be difficult for Israel to respond in such a minor way as it did after the April 13 event,” the former Israeli official said.