US Urges Global Governments to Deploy Military for Jewish Community Security Ahead of High Holidays

The US State Department issued an unusual diplomatic directive on Wednesday, instructing its embassies worldwide to urge host governments to enhance security measures for Jewish communities and synagogues ahead of the Jewish High Holidays (Tishrei). This directive, obtained by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), calls for the deployment of military, police, and counterterrorism units at key routes and community institutions to prevent attacks.

The memo highlights the anniversary of the October 7 massacre, which occurred on Simchat Torah, and warns of potential further terrorist threats during Jewish holidays. It requests US diplomatic missions to communicate the significance of Tishrei and the recent attack to senior government officials in their respective countries.

Security measures are to extend beyond synagogues to include Jewish residential neighborhoods, where worshippers often walk predictable routes visibly identifiable as Jewish. Governments are also urged to increase patrols in crowded areas likely to attract Jewish populations during the holidays. Pre-holiday security briefings and coordination channels between security forces, Jewish institutions, and related businesses are to be established for rapid response to threats.

The directive also addresses the challenge of alerting observant Jews who refrain from using electronic devices during the holidays. It calls for mechanisms to provide direct warnings in real time, especially relevant this year as Rosh Hashanah coincides with the Sabbath from September 11 to 13, potentially limiting communication access.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the US State Department’s special envoy for monitoring and combating antisemitism, declined to comment on the directive. A source familiar with the matter noted a similar alert was issued in late March before Passover.

This heightened security advisory reflects ongoing concerns about antisemitic violence globally, particularly during significant Jewish observances.