Sept. 21 (UPI) — Israeli police spokesperson Eli Levi is urging the Israeli public to carry guns during Yom Kippur on September 24-25.
Levi stated that during the High Holy Days, “We reiterate the call of the chief of police and the head of operations and call on the public to carry weapons and be trained in their use when necessary, to bear their weapons during these days, even in places of prayer and family entertainment.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the call, stating, “Calling the citizens of Israel to come armed to the synagogue on Yom Kippur is not a security policy, it is dangerous populism.”
Lapid suggested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should address his ministers’ concerns rather than “running away from the troubles to California.”
Israeli police revealed that licensed gun owners should carry their weapons to synagogues during the High Holidays due to a 15% increase in terror warnings.
Netanyahu is currently in the United States, where he met with President Joe Biden in New York City on Wednesday, amidst ongoing controversy in Israel regarding efforts to restrict the power of the independent judiciary.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Times Square to demonstrate against the weakening of the judiciary’s power in Israel.
Recent unrest in the West Bank has involved deadly Israeli raids on refugee camps.
In August, Israel’s army and border police demolished the home of a deceased Palestinian suspected of killing an Israeli soldier and his younger brother. According to HaMoked, an Israel-based group advocating for the rights of Palestinians, family members who were not involved in the shooting were living in the home.
The High Holidays will continue until the first week of October.
