Jewish Israelis were preparing for the Yom Kippur holiday on Friday, with businesses, restaurants and public transport closing early ahead of the 25-hour fast of repentance that begins on Friday evening. This year, Yom Kippur falls on the same weekend as the Eid al-Adha holiday, celebrated by Israel's Muslim citizens. Unlike the very solemn Yom Kippur, Eid al-Adha is traditionally celebrated with a feast and other festivities, causing concerns among Israeli authorities about possible clashes between Israel's Jewish and Muslim citizens this weekend. Police and defense officials are on high alert and took part in a preparatory exercise on Thursday to ensure readiness for the worst-case scenario. A midnight curfew was imposed on Judea and Samaria beginning Thursday evening, and Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch instructed officials to be on high alert, particularly in towns and cities with mixed Arab and Jewish populations, to ensure a secure and incident-free holiday weekend. Police presence will be reinforced, including special forces, in cities with many Jewish and Arab citizens and along major roadways. Because the two holidays are observed so differently, the Housing Culture Association posted recommendations for citizens in cities with largely mixed populations. The recommendations read: "Muslims are requested to concentrate festivities in areas far away from synagogues and public centers. Jews are requested to understand that roads may not be empty of vehicles. The holiday greeting for Jews is "May you have a meaningful fast and be inscribed in the Book of Life," and the holiday greeting for Muslims is "May this year be a good one." According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, 26 percent of secular Israelis and 69 percent of traditionally observant Israelis observe the fast on Yom Kippur. While even non-observant Israelis refrain from driving on Yom Kippur out of respect for the day, considered the holiest in the Jewish calendar, the children of the less observant look forward every year to taking advantage of the empty roads to ride bicycles freely. This year, Yom Kippur falls on the Sabbath. According to the bureau, 17 percent of secular Israelis have Friday night meals with blessings in honor of the Sabbath, while 29 percent of secular women light Sabbath candles. Among more traditional Israelis, 53 percent have a Sabbath meal and 53 percent of women light Sabbath candles. Each year ahead of Yom Kippur, thousands gather at the Western Wall in Jerusalem to recite the Selichot penitential prayers.
Fast day vs. feast day
With the Jewish fast day of Yom Kippur falling on the same weekend as the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, officials prepare for possible clashes between Arabs and Jews • Israeli adults prepare to fast, children look forward to riding bikes in empty streets.
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