Israel: Yom Kippur to take place Sep. 29-30

Event

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Judaism’s most solemn and holy day of the year, will take place this year from sundown on Friday, September 29, through Saturday evening, September 30. Daily life in Israel will come to a halt as nearly all businesses will be closed. Public transportation will not run and Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) will be closed, with very few vehicles on the streets (traditionally bicycles are used as the primary means of transportation on Yom Kippur). The majority of the population will fast during the 25-hour period.

The terrorist threat typically rises in Israel during sensitive periods, such as during holidays or anniversaries of key dates. An increased security presence, especially around border areas, religious sites, and in the city of Jerusalem, is to be expected. 

Advice

Individuals in Israel are advised to seek alternate transportation options during Yom Kippur and to anticipate widespread business closures. Avoid all demonstrations and large public gatherings during this period as a precaution. 

More generally due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers in Israel and throughout the region are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and to remain vigilant when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, etc.). As a reminder, several Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Lebanese, Syrian, and Egyptian borders.