Israelis mark Yom Kippur under ‘painful’ virus lockdown

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man and an Israeli soldier pray ahead of Yom Kippur in Jerusalem (Ariel Schalit/AP)

The solemn Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, which annually sees Israeli life grind to a halt, will begin on Sunday in a nation already under a sweeping coronavirus lockdown.

Every year, businesses shut down, roads empty and even radio and TV stations go silent as the faithful fast for 25 hours and hold intensive prayers of atonement on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.