Israel shut down on Wednesday evening for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. All flights in and out of Ben Gurion airport ceased at 1:35 p.m. The airport will reopen Thursday night with arrivals starting at 9:30 p.m., while departures will resume at 11:30 p.m. During this period Israel’s air space is also closed to flights passing through.
Border crossings also shut just after noon and will reopen at 10 p.m. on Thursday. Public transport also halted with buses and trains stopping their routes until after the fast day. Inner-city buses will gradually restart from 8 p.m., while inter-city transport will restart from 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Driving during the Jewish Day of Atonement is considered taboo, and many secular Israelis have turned the day into a biking holiday, taking advantage of the car-free roads. Security and rescue services, however, remain on high alert.

Travelers are advised to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to avoid public gatherings or demonstrations due to the potential for violence, especially in Jerusalem.