Fearing terrorist elements may target him in an assassination attempt, round-the-clock bodyguards have been placed on Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel. The decision was made by national security officials. The decision follows appointing around-the-clock security for Deputy Speaker MK Moshe Feiglin, who remains an outspoken advocate for Jewish freedom of religion on Har Habayis. State security officials monitoring Arab social media and other channels have decided there are too many threats against the two, compelling the decision for additional security measures.

Security fears surrounding Ariel are also connected to his announced plan of living in the City of David a number of days weekly. He current resides in Kfar Adumim.

Officials in Ariel’s office responded to the security detail report. “It appears this is the price one must pay in the Middle East for one who stands up for one’s Zionist ideals…”

Following the attempted assassination of Har Habayis activist Rabbi Yehuda Glick, security agencies are taking threats against officials more seriously. After Glick was shot four times at point blank range it was also learned that police were apprised of numerous death threats against Rabbi Glick which they opted to ignore. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein ordered the security detail for Deputy Speaker Feiglin after the Glick shooting.

Glick continues recuperating B’chasdei Hashem in Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)