[JURIST] Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon [Wikipedia backgrounder] Thursday night postponed the demolition of synagogues in the evacuated Gaza Strip [Wikipedia backgrounder] despite an Israeli High Court [official website] decision earlier Thursday to permit the destruction of synagogues that could not be dismantled [Reuters report]. Following Israeli disengagement [IDF materials], Gaza is now under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority [official website]. Sharon complied with a request by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz [BBC backgrounder], who suggested trying to find ways to avert the tearing down of the structures. The delay follows a Wednesday high court ruling [JURIST report] that the Israeli government ascertain whether or not preservation of the synagogues is possible. A final decision on destruction will be made at a Israeli cabinet meeting on Sunday. The Jerusalem Post has local coverage.