Israel in gridlock as Rosh Hashanah falls
Jewish new year festivities coincide with Muslim festival of Eid Al-Fitr, as well as anniversary of the outbreak of the second intifada.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel newsIsraelis took to the roads on Wednesday in preparation for the evening's traditional Rosh Hashanah dinner.
 |
Israelis stuck in a traffic jam. |
| Photo by: David Bachar |
Many of Israel's central roads and highways were gridlocked, police sources indicated, adding that police officers have been positioned across Israel in an attempt to secure the start of the Jewish new year.
In addition to traffic police reinforcements ahead of the annual traffic jam before and after the holiday feast, thousands of policemen, border policemen and police volunteers were positioned all over Israel ahead of the festivities.
This year's Rosh Hashanah will run parallel to the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month-long Ramadan, as well as coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the outbreak of the second intifada in 2000.
As a result, Israel has declared a general lockdown of the West Bank, fearing attacks during the holiday season.
Speaking of increased police deployment, Ilan Sardal, the head of the police operations section, said that the police was expected to deploy in large numbers, with "most of Israel Police officers expected to work the holiday, so to facilitate the citizens' celebrations."
"We have prepared in several key areas: security-wise, in order to allow Israelis to celebrate in security; maintaining order in public areas such as parks and beaches, and a special attention to the criminal aspect," Sardal said.
The unusually noticeable police presence will be felt throughout the holiday, from Wednesday evening through Sunday, and is expected to make a return during Sukkoth.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
to all Muslims and Jews respectively. May it be better than the last.
Will Come In The Year 5771 .
may there be peace, health, and prosperity for all israelis and palestinians this year. shana tova.
Happy new year to my people, the chosen race of God. Through Israel, human race came to know about the Almighty God, may Israel be blessed more and more amen.
our lunar calander, our land ,our hommus and our allah- uloheem look at what we have in common not what makes us different. please add to it if you have more things in common
and the one most important at preasent day is our state ISRAEL which belongs to its cityzens of no matter what creed they are, WE ARE ALL ISRAELIS AND EQUALY SUCH
apartied traffic too
It was broadcasted a couple a months ago on TV, I dont remember which station. I found it shamefull for us. There was a very long line waiting for green light on the arab side and a free flowing, not realy dense one on the jewish side of the crosseroad in a Jerusalem intersection.
To all Jewish folks everywhere, Happy New Year!
Nowadays Rosh Hashana is more of a national holiday than a religious one. It's more like vacation time; party-time!
At least EVERYONE is celebrating :)
it is obvious that Irael needs to chase the Arabs out of the West bank and Gaza to make more room for Israeli cars.
שנה טובה
Do you Natallie actually gave the gaul to say you have Jewish friends and insult the true meaning of the New Year!
go chew on a hand grenade. Some of the things you spewed in the last months crossed the border of good conversation a long time ago. Crossed the border? More like smashed it with a train.
If you consider compiling a list of names to turn over to authorities once her radical fascist friends take over.
What Islamic terrorists did on that day
David unfortunately islamic terrorists will never forget what USA did before and after that day....
Yes, lets not forget 911 either, nor the start of the second infatada, and all who have died so sharon and an army of security could stir up the second infatada. And for what? Well, I guess that was not fair. He did manage to save Israel again, in that instance, FROM PEACE!! Thought less radicals from BOTH sides, HAVE COST MANY LIVES!!!
He said it when he was asked what thought, immediately following the attack, and again in 2008. In 2001 he said it because he thought that part of the U.S. response would be to wash its hands of the Palestinian issue - which would give Israel a free hand to do as it will. LOL...WRONG! In 2008, he said it was good because it shifted public opinion in Israel's favor...only he spoke too soon because it's losing that "favor" fast, and because the world has recognized that Israel's policies contribute heavily towards the antagonism that fuels, funds, and fills the ranks of extremists.