Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to arrive in synagogues across the country tonight (Friday), but the shaky security reality is expected to obscure the solemn prayers.
Police point out that there are no special guidelines for synagogues, but vigilance should be exercised in light of general warnings that there are attempts to carry out attacks.
This year, Seder night is not only tense due to the wave of terror, but also due to the fact that it marks the 20th anniversary of the bloody events of Black March and culminates in the deadly suicide bombing at the Park Hotel in Netanya.
In the various cities, with an emphasis on Jerusalem, thousands of police and border fighters are deployed in order to maintain calm and stop a potential threat.
In preparation for the prayers, the World Organization of Synagogues appeals to Gabayim, community leaders and worshipers to increase vigilance and exercise more caution and responsibility.
Citizens carrying weapons in synagogues should be verified and their seating location should be maintained.
In addition, they recommend formulating an escape procedure in advance when needed and checking if there are medical personnel in the prayer houses and when they will arrive.
They also recommend that a mobile phone be turned on in every synagogue, so that they can call the security forces if necessary.
The police have not officially ordered an armed man to be placed in any synagogue, as reported yesterday in "Israel Today", and say that the words of the senior Border Police officer in the south are a local initiative. Capable of operating an event when needed.
"Unfortunately, but from the experience and recognition of the humiliation of our enemies, the synagogues may be a significant target for terrorist attacks for terrorist organizations," says the chairman of the World Synagogue Association, David Ben Na'a. .
Beyond that - this is a mass gathering that is not officially secured and therefore it is our duty to act carefully and responsibly and prepare for this year's prayers.
We pray that this coming Passover we will all feel truly free and that the Creator of the world will say enough of our troubles and we will be privileged to celebrate this holiday with joy and holiness. "
Double deployment
The large synagogues are not satisfied with basic preparations, and in some of them armed guards are expected to be stationed and the following are brought in with close scrutiny.
"We are doubly prepared when it comes to preserving human life - both in terms of security and in terms of Corona, when it comes to mask enforcement," says Adv. Zali Yaffe, president of the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem, which is expected to be crowded, due to the many tourists To the capital.
"I expect a large crowd, because a lot of people have come to Israel, and a lot of Israelis come to Jerusalem, and hope that everything will go smoothly and safely," Yaffa told Israel Today.
In order to maintain the safety of the worshipers, the entrance to the large compound will be as is customary in malls and other complexes - through one well-secured entrance.
"We are expanding the number of guards. There will only be one entrance and the worshipers will enter through a pipe of security. Every person will be checked. The situation is challenging and we are not playing with human life."
He promises that despite security, which is reminiscent of what happened in Jerusalem in the early 2000s, during the second intifada, prayers will not be harmed: "There will be everything you need to have a happy holiday."
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