Security boosted at Shas rabbi's home

Following murder of Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, every worshipper arriving at Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's house must undergo security check. 'Everyone is a suspect – even haredim,' explains rabbi's aide

Reuters | Published: 08.02.11, 07:58

Shas ministers' security guards have been ordered to boost their presence outside the home of the party's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, following the murder of Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira in Beersheba on Thursday night.

Worshippers arriving to pray at the synagogue in the rabbi's house on Sunday morning were forced to undergo stricter security checks.

Security guards are not normally stationed at Rabbi Yosef's house in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood, but the ministers' guards, who are always there when the rabbi receives visitors, are responsible for securing the house and preventing hostile elements from entering.

A source in the rabbi's home, who confirmed the report, said that almost every worshipper arriving at the house was checked, even those with a "regular" haredi appearance.

According to the source, the shocking murder in Beersheba clarified that "everyone has become a suspect – even haredim, unfortunately".

Murdered while receiving audience

Rabbi Abuhatzeira was stabbed to death on Thursday night while receiving visitors at a Beersheba yeshiva. The murder suspect, 42-year-old Asher Dahan of Elad, was captured by the rabbi's followers and handed over to the police.

According to suspicions, Dahan was unhappy with marital advice he received from the rabbi and decided to murder him.

Ynet reported Sunday that Dahan was accused of attacking his wife about a year and a half ago. According to the indictment, filed in December 2009 with the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court, the suspect slapped and assaulted his wife. He also threatened to "bury her".

In an earlier incident, about three years ago, he strongly shoved his wife while she was cleaning the house and threw a basket at her. Dahan failed to show up for the last session of his trial, and a new discussion has been set for September.

The murder suspect is being held at the Shikma Prison in Ashkelon. He is being guarded 24 hours a day, with cameras documenting every move he makes for fear he would try to hurt himself or would be hurt by fellow prisoners seeking revenge.