Israeli army officers close the Kerem Shalom border gate on September 12, 2005. (David Silverman/Getty Images))
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ordered a general closure of the West Bank and Gaza for the Yom Kippur holiday.
All crossings will be closed from noon Tuesday until one minute before midnight Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces announced. Crossings based on medical and humanitarian needs will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the coordinator of government activities in the territories, according to the IDF.
Yom Kippur begins at sundown Tuesday and ends after sundown Wednesday. Beginning Wednesday night, Muslims begin their observance of the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday, or the Feast of the Sacrifice.
Tens of thousands of Jews are expected to visit the Western Wall on Yom Kippur, according to the Jerusalem Police, who said in a statement that thousands of police officers, Border Guard officers and volunteers will be deployed throughout the city starting from Tuesday morning to maintain public order and security.
The police said it would close entry to the Temple Mount on Tuesday and Wednesday to Muslim men under the age of 40. Muslim men over 40 and Muslim women will be allowed to enter the site. During the four days of Eid al-Adha, only Muslims will be allowed to visit the site.
