Bat Yam mayor Tzvika Brot announced the city would order a 4-week closure of the approximately 140 local synagogues.
Brot said the decision was a very difficult one to make and was reached following consultations with the city's chief rabbi along with other leading community figures. He stated he hoped the closure would prevent the deaths of mostly elderly congregants.
This is the first time in Israel's history that the synagogues in a major city have been forced to close their doors for an extended period of time. The order will go into effect this coming Friday.