JERUSALEM, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Israeli security forces were on high alert Sunday ahead of the sundown beginning of the holiest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Defense officials reported 17 specific alerts about terrorist plans to carry out suicide bombings, shootings, rocket attacks and kidnappings during the holiday, which ends at sundown Monday, YNet News reported.
Jerusalem police also boosted security around the Western Wall in advance of the arrival of thousands of worshippers. The wall dates from the time of the Jewish Second Temple.
Police in Jerusalem kept vehicles from traveling to the western side of town from the eastern side until the end of the holiday.
Officials also sought to secure open markets and bus stations throughout Israel.
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter called the terrorist warnings real and imminent, the news service said.
