Israel comes to a halt for Yom Kippur

The start of the Jewish Day of Atonement at sundown Sunday marked the beginning of a day like no other in Israel, on which even Israelis with no connection to religion tend to put their normal lives on hold.

Businesses and institutions shut down, television and radio stations suspended their broadcasts, no flights left or came and nearly no motor vehicles could be spotted on Israel's streets.

As Jews across the country fasted and prayed, the emergency services were still operating. Security services declared a state of heightened alert in northern Israel in light of clashes that erupted between Israeli Arab and Jewish residents of the northern town of Acre last Yom Kippur.

Earlier Sunday, a scuffle erupted at Jerusalem's Temple Mount when some 150 Muslim worshippers hurled stones at a group of Jewish visitors. Several people were hurt, including policemen who used stun grenades to disperse the crowd. In light of the event, the police decided to raise the level of alert across the country, rather than limiting the alert to the northern region.

In addition, emergency medical staffs were on hand to treat the anticipated fast related injuries as well as injuries sustained by children who customarily ride bicycles and roller skate in the empty city streets on Yom Kippur.

The defense establishment also prepared itself for any eventuality, imposing a general closure on the West Bank at midnight on Saturday. The closure was set to be lifted only after Yom Kippur.

The Israel Defense Forces said that that for the duration of the closure, persons in need of medical attention will be permitted to pass for care. It added that the passage of humanitarian aid as well as aid workers and other officials would be authorized by the IDF District Coordination and Liaison office.

West Bank closures have been imposed during most Jewish holidays in recent years due to concerns that Palestinian militants could take advantage of the festival to carry out attacks inside Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement emphasizing that it will do everything in its power to protect the citizens of the state of Israel while taking into consideration the daily lives of Palestinians living in the areas under closure.

Meanwhile, the Magen David Adom emergency medical service advised people suffering from kidney failure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, organ recipients and women in the third trimester of pregnancy to refrain from fasting. According to the organization, MDA treats approximately 1,500 people every Yom Kippur, among them 200 children who fall off bicycles, scooters, roller skates or skateboards.