Security forces on high alert as Israelis mark Yom Kippur

West Bank checkpoints temporarily closed until after Day of Atonement ends; large police forces deployed in Acre and Jerusalem; train and bus services ceased.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Yom Kippur 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Yom Kippur 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Security and rescue forces will be on high alert and deployed in large numbers in Jerusalem and Acre during Yom Kippur, which begins Friday afternoon and will end Saturday at dusk.
Security crossings into Israel from the West Bank were temporarily closed Thursday night and will open again at midnight on Saturday in accordance with security assessments adopted by the IDF.
RELATED:Guest Columnist: My Yom KippurGuest Columnist: Tolerance and forgivenessAsk The Rabbi: A load of CrocsAs many as 300 police officers are expected to be deployed on the streets of Acre from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning, Israel Radio reported.
All the main entrances to the city will be blocked from the east.
The measures are being taken following violent riots that took place in the city two years ago on Yom Kippur.
The security presence in Jerusalem was also beefed up on Friday in preparation for Yom Kippur.
Train services throughout the country ended at 11:30 a.m and Egged bus services stopped running at 2:00 p.m. Bus services will resume at 7:30 pm on Saturday.
As occurs every year, streets and highways across the country are also empty of private traffic in observance of Yom Kippur.
The fast will begin at at 5:07 p.m in Jerusalem, 5:22 p.m in Tel Aviv, 5:14 p.m in Haifa and 5:25 p.m in Beersheba and will last 25 hours.