Security forces on high alert in Jerusalem as Jewish Israelis mark Yom Kippur

One day after a deadly Jerusalem terrorist attack jarred the nation, police say extensive security measures for Yom Kippur have been implemented throughout the capital.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD, YAAKOV LAPPIN
Yom Kippur (photo credit: REUTERS,JPOST STAFF)
Yom Kippur
(photo credit: REUTERS,JPOST STAFF)
The IDF was set to place the West Bank and Gaza border crossings under a general closure on Tuesday evening at the start of Yom Kippur. The closure was scheduled to be lifted on Wednesday night.
Humanitarian, medical and other urgent journeys will be permitted, the army said.
One day after a deadly Jerusalem terrorist attack jarred the nation, police on Monday said extensive security measures for Yom Kippur, beginning Tuesday night, have been implemented throughout the capital, with “nothing being left to chance.”
In anticipation of thousands of visitors from around the world visiting the Western Wall beginning Monday evening, Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said nearly 4,000 officers will be on hand to closely monitor all activity.
“Overall general security assessments have been made across Israel, with an emphasis on all public areas such as synagogues, central bus and train stations and the Old City,” he said Monday afternoon. “At the same time, during the festivals themselves, we’re having more than 3,500 officers in Jerusalem to carry out security measures, with an emphasis on the Old City, where we’re expecting thousands of people to arrive to go to the Western Wall on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
According to Rosenfeld, a wide range of elite units will be based in Jerusalem, including Border Police, counterterrorism units, special patrol units and undercover units.
“If necessary, they will give an immediate response to any type of incident,” he said, “and these security measures are standard measures taking place despite the terrorist attack that took place over the last 24 hours.”
“The level of security across the country and in Jerusalem is relatively high, and this will continue for as long as necessary throughout the festival period, including Succot, which will last for over two weeks from today,” Rosenfeld said.
The following are the beginning and ending times for Yom Kippur:
Jerusalem: Tuesday 5:31 p.m. to Wednesday 6:46 p.m.
Tel Aviv: Tuesday 5:51 p.m. to Wednesday 6:48 p.m.
Haifa: Tuesday 5:42 p.m. to Wednesday 6:47 p.m.
Beersheba: Tuesday 5:51 p.m. to Wednesday 6:48 p.m.
Eilat: Tuesday 5:52 p.m. to Wednesday 6:48 p.m.