Israelis Observe Yom Kippur

Israel shut itself off from the outside world Friday as Jews began observances of their holiest day, Yom Kippur, with fasting and prayers of penitence.

With tensions high as a result of the Persian Gulf crisis, many Israelis were mindful that Friday also marks the 17th anniversary of the 1973 Middle East War, which began with attacks by the Egyptian and Syrian armies during Yom Kippur.

In a holiday address on television, Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu made a reference to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who has threatened to attack Israel with chemical weapons. He said Israelis should pray to God, for “then we have nothing to fear from any enemy . . . even the ruler of Baghdad.”

Although most Israelis are non-observant Jews, Yom Kippur is widely observed. Most of the nation’s 7,000 synagogues are usually full for services during the observance that begins at sundown Friday and lasts until sundown Saturday.