Israel’s Cabinet voted not to demolish the 25 synagogues in abandoned Gaza settlements, despite fears that they will be looted by Palestinian mobs. By a vote of 14-2, the Cabinet responded to appeals from top rabbis, who said it's better for Palestinians to desecrate the synagogues than for Jews to destroy them. The Palestinians are angry over the decision. They say they cannot protect the synagogues, which they describe as “symbols of occupation,” but they fear international condemnation if houses of worship are desecrated.