Security forces gear up for Yom Kippur
West Bank to remain under closure until nightfall Saturday; MDA on high alert as high temperatures expected
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Israel Police forces, Border Patrol officers and volunteer policemen were on high alert for Yom Kippur, with a special emphasis on mixed cities, like Acre and Jaffa, and areas of high sensitivity like the Temple Mount, Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino said Thursday.
In addition, the West Bank was placed under closure starting Thursday night, until Saturday evening when the Day of Atonement comes to an end.
In Jerusalem, forces were to spread out across the city, securing synagogues, the Western Wall, areas along the seamline and those prone to violent demonstrations, and set up roadblocks leading from the eastern part of the city. The police called on those riding bicycles around Jerusalem to use caution.
Police said they would allow only Muslim worshipers over the age of 45 with an Israeli ID card and women of all ages to access the Temple Mount, in order to prevent disturbances like the ones that occurred ahead of and during Rosh Hashanah when young Palestinian men clashed with police. officers.
Israel’s civilian airspace was closed to traffic starting Friday afternoon, until Saturday night.
The country’s paramedic service, Magen David Adom, was also on alert ahead of the extremely high temperatures expected during the holiday, which may turn out to be the highest in over a decade.
Every year, MDA treats on average 2,000 people during Yom Kippur.
The Times of Israel Community.