This week, for the first time in decades, Israel will celebrate its holiest day, Yom Kippur, while waging a war on multiple fronts.
From sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday, markets will be closed, flights will be grounded and public transport will be halted as most Jews fast and pray on the Day of Atonement.
But Israeli forces will continue operations against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and Shiite Hezbollah in Lebanon.
While Israel is generally closed for Shabbat, some shops, services and even bus lines still operate, and some broadcasters continue to provide news bulletins.
Since the Hamas attack on October 7 last year, Israeli media have broadcast live updates on the war on Shabbat and other religious days.
Given its status as Judaism’s holiest day, Yom Kippur is traditionally observed with complete media silence.
But this time the outlets are ready to cover any major developments or updates on the wars.
Several media representatives told AFP they were prepared to go live if necessary.
“We are on high alert this Yom Kippur, but we hope there will be no need to go live,” said Keshet 12 News spokesperson Yael Melzer.
“Each situation will be assessed individually before deciding whether to break holiday restrictions,” he said.
‘Silent Channel’
Ilil Shahar, deputy director of the news division, said public broadcaster KAN will operate a “silent channel”, which will allow television and radio stations to broadcast and interrupt them only for urgent developments.
The broadcast will continue until the start of Yom Kippur, when Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah, will be played before the airwaves go silent.
“We have never had a television news broadcast so close to the start of the holidays,” Shahar said.
“We will also have a team on standby all day, something we have never done before.”
On Thursday, Israel’s Home Front Command distributed instructions on how to obtain vital information during Yom Kippur, highlighting the “silent channel” and its mobile phone emergency app.
Israel was first at war on Yom Kippur during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
In 1973, Egypt and Syria surprised Israel by attacking on Yom Kippur.
Both sides suffered heavy losses, thousands of soldiers were killed.
But that war happened long before the emergence of the 24-hour news cycle and constant social media updates.
‘Everything affects us’
Paul Frosh, a communications professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said mass and social media have provided a sense of connection, which is essential during war.
“It’s not just that we want to know what’s going on,” he said.
“I think the thing that will be particularly challenging this year is the loss of that sense of connection.”
“Until this war ends, it will be impossible to separate,” said Zamira Miara, 67, from the southern city of Ashkelon.
“We live in Israel and everything affects and hurts us,” he said.
For some, like Itai Elgassian, 30, a shopkeeper in Jerusalem, the silence of mainstream media may not be a problem due to the proliferation of social media.
“Today everyone has their own Telegram (channel)… they can scan news there,” he said.
“I think that on Yom Kippur, those channels will continue to be broadcast.”
However, for some people, the holidays are a break from the constant news cycle, a welcome respite that provides a time to reflect and pray for the year ahead.
“It’s escapism that’s for sure, positive escapism, maybe we’ll even enjoy it and maybe it’ll be for the best,” said Jackie Kadosh, a 72-year-old resident of Netanya who was visiting Jerusalem.
Liad Ben Moshe, 24, said taking a break from the constant “beep of our phones” would allow worshipers to focus on their connection with “the creator of the world.”
“Disconnection leads to disconnect,” he said. “When you disconnect from the outside world, you can connect with yourself, and tune out the background noise.
“This Yom Kippur will be more powerful because of him.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
