Israel Boosts Security Ahead of Yom Kippur

iStock/Thinkstock(JERUSALEM) — Security is higher than ever ahead of Yom Kippur and after a year of Palestinian attacks that just claimed two more lives. At sundown Tuesday, many Jews in Israel and around the world will begin a 25-hour fast for a day of repentance. It is the one holiday that shuts down Israel, with thousands — religious and secular, young and old — pouring into the streets of major cities.

Sunday’s deadly Palestinian shooting attack in Jerusalem has prompted even tighter security measures ahead of Yom Kippur or the Jewish Day of Atonement.

Roadblocks are up in East Jerusalem to keep Palestinian vehicles out of the western neighborhoods. The army is also sealing the West Bank and Gaza Tuesday for two days, while nearly 4,000 security forces are set to patrol the streets, especially near the Old City.

On what’s considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, security will be on high alert as thousands will pour in to pray at the Wailing Wall.

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