A Bird’s-eye View of Israel’s Deserted Streets On Yom Kippur

Seen from above, it could be mistaken for a COVID-19 lockdown: highways typically jammed with traffic nearly deserted, save for a lone pedestrian unhurriedly crossing the street.

But Thursday's virtual standstill in Israel-captured by Reuters drone video-is in fact an annual affair as the country marks Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Businesses close, air traffic is halted and most Israelis refrain from driving on the Jewish "Day of Atonement," emptying city centers and highways across the country.

Many in Israel's Jewish majority mark Yom Kippur by fasting during the 25-hour holy period, which began at dusk on Wednesday and ends after dark on Thursday.

(Reuters)

Видео A Bird’s-eye View of Israel’s Deserted Streets On Yom Kippur канала Voice of America