Security ramped up at synagogues, temples

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Monday is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, and security has been ramped up at temples and synagogues across the New York area.

Extra police officers will be standing guard as the heightened tensions throughout the mideast add an extra layer of urgency to security precautions.

Anger over an anti-Islamic film has sparked violent protests throughout the Muslim world, and harsh threats between Israel and Iran over Iran's nuclear program also increase the potential for an attack on Jewish temples in the city.

There's been a visible police presence outside houses of worship even before the Jewish new year celebrations began Sunday night.

They will continue through Rosh Hashanah into next week, when the high holy day of Yom Kippur is observed.

Similar precautions are being taken by police throughout the Tri-State area.

"We're also working with the local, state and federal authorities, including the terrorist task force and Homeland Security on a daily basis to evaluate threats to the community," Nassau County police commissioner Thomas Dale said.

Public schools are closed Monday and Tuesday to celebrate the new year. The holiday commemorates the creation of the world, which this year reached the age of 5,773, according to the Jewish calendar.

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Plot thwarted as men targeting synagogues arrested

  Eyewitness NewsMIDTOWN (WABC) -- Two men trying to buy guns and talking about attacking Manhattan synagogues were arrested, and city officials say a potential threat was thwarted.

The men were arrested Wednesday night in Midtown and will be appear in criminal court in Lower Manhattan later today.

They will be charged under the New York state's anti-terror laws. Federal prosecutors are aware of the case, but declined to charge them under federal terrorism laws.

This is the 13th plot thwarted against the city since the September 11th attacks, and the kind of homegrown, "lone-wolf" scenario that federal law enforcement officials were recently warned of.

Authorities say the suspects talked about attacking synagogues in Manhattan, but investigators believe they were planning out loud and no specific synagogue was selected.

The two men, Muslims of North African descent, had already obtained some guns and were trying to buy more more, as well as a grenade, according to police.

Their attempts were detected by investigators with the NYPD's Intelligence Division, who moved in to set up a sting.

One of the men, in his 20s, lives in Queens. That man was apparently going to sell drugs to buy the guns. He has prior arrests, including for drug possession.

The plan was already in the works at the time of Osama bin Laden's death, and is not believed to be in retaliation for the killing.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly are expected to discuss the arrests this afternoon at City Hall.

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