BICOM

Police in Jerusalem have been placed on high alert ahead of the Yom Kippur holiday which begins this evening.

Thousands of extra police officers will patrol sensitive areas of the city, especially with large numbers expected to visit the Western Wall.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said: “We are calling up forces especially for [the Jewish holidays of] Succot and Yom Kippur to protect the general public’s security and feeling of security.”

However, she also emphasised: “We are continuing normal life.”

Ahead of Yom Kippur, police will also erect a number of temporary blockades in Jerusalem between predominantly Jewish and Arab areas, to guard against friction in areas particularly susceptible to violent disturbances.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced a 48-hour closure of movement in Palestinian areas of the West Bank, with the exception of emergencies and humanitarian cases. The closure is a standard measure ahead of major Jewish holidays, when the terror threat typically increases.

The heightened security measures also comes two days after an Arab resident of east Jerusalem killed two Israelis in a shooting attack in Jerusalem. The assailant was killed in a shoot-out with police after killing a 29-year-old police officer and a grandmother.

Yom Kippur, which begins at sunset this evening, is considered by religious Jews as the holiest day in the calendar. It is marked for religious Jews by a 25-hour fast and intense prayer, while secular Israeli Jews often use the day as a chance to relax. Streets are typically deserted of traffic and replaced by children riding bicycles, while all businesses and schools are closed. Israeli television ceases broadcasting for the day.

A survey commissioned by YNet, published yesterday, indicates that 61 per cent of Jewish Israelis plan on fasting during Yom Kippur. Meanwhile, more than one third of Jewish Israelis intend on attending synagogue during the day, and 43 per cent of Jewish Israelis said that they will spend Yom Kippur resting and relaxing.