News Column

Israel on High Alert for Yom Kippur

September 26, 2012

Israeli security forces are on high alert and thousands of personnel are deployed across the country for Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) fast which begins at sunset Tuesday, due to massive Muslim protests against the anti-Islam film recently.

During the 25-hour fast, the country comes to a halt; television and radio stations go off-air, all commerce and public transportation stops and airports are closed.

Jerusalem District Police will be "extra vigilant" this year, due to prior worldwide protests against the U.S.-made film " Innocence of Muslims" that insults Muslim's Prophet Mohammed, Police Spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld told Xinhua Tuesday.

He added that patrol and border police units, as well as volunteers, will be deployed at roadblocks on streets connecting eastern and western Jerusalem, in order to prevent potential friction between Jews and Arabs, but stressed that alternate traffic routes would be available.

Israeli security forces have already been on high alert since the beginning of the High Holidays period, which started last week with the Hebrew New Year, continues through Yom Kippur and, a week later, concludes with the joyous week-long Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) holiday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has imposed a complete closure on Palestinians living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which will remain in effect until midnight on Wednesday.

The Civil Administration, however, will consider special humanitarian and medical cases, the IDF said in a statement.

"The IDF will continue to work to protect the citizens of the State of Israel while taking the fabric of daily Palestinian life into consideration," an IDF spokesman said.

Police forces countrywide, and particularly in Jerusalem, will also be on guard in city centers and at synagogues, among other public venues.



Source: Copyright Xinhua News Agency - CEIS 2012


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