Sydney Jews outraged over denial of new synagogue as a “security risk”

A planning committee in the Australian town of Sydney has denied permission for the construction of a new synagogue in the highend Bondi suburb on the grounds that it would be a security risk and target of Islamist terrorists. “The decision is unprecedented,” said Rabbi Yehoram Ulma. “Those who want us to be afraid are winning,” said another Jewish leader. Proposals to install protective walls to withstand explosive blasts were rejected by the same committee on aesthetic grounds. The Australian Jewish community numbers around 120,000, with 50,000 living in the Sydney area.