Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to demolish the home of a Palestinian man who stabbed a rabbi to death in Petah Tikvah on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident is believed to be an anti-Semitic attack as the victim, Rabbi Shai Ohayon of Petah Tikva, was ultra-orthodox.

Netanyahu said a 46-year-old suspect, caught at the scene, will face the “most severe punishment”.

Community members have expressed shock at the killing of the 39-year-old rabbi, who was married with four children.

The assailant, married with six children, was from Nablus in the West Bank. He is not believed to be a member of a Palestinian terror group.

The attack is being investigated by Shin Bet Security services.

Netanyahu sent condolences to the family in the name of “all Israeli citizens”.

It is understood Rabbi Ohayon studied at a Kollel in Kfar Saba.

Magen David Adom gave life saving treatment for multiple stab wounds but Rabbi Oyahon was pronounced dead at Rabin Medical Centre.

Rabbi Ohayon was buried shortly after midnight following a Hesped delivered by Rabbi Menachem Avraham Bitton of the USA.