Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate traditional Purim holiday in the shadow of war in Gaza

(25 Mar 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jerusalem - 25 March 2024
1. Ultra-Orthodox Jews dressed in costumes celebrating Purim in Mea Shearim, an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, man dressed in yellow costume seen on top of driving car
2. People in costumes walking along street
3. Man drinking from bottle of vodka
4. Ultra-Orthodox Jews with colorful hats
5. Families with girls dressed with white gowns
6. Ultra-Orthodox Jews walking street
7. Car driving by with people dressed up in it
8. Family with girls in dresses
9. Ultra-Orthodox Jews walking street
10.Various of people in Mea Shearim costumes celebrating purim
STORYLINE:
Jews celebrated the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood on Monday.

Purim is widely depicted as the most thoroughly joyful of Jewish holidays — highlighted by celebrations that include costumes, skits, noisemakers and varying degrees of rowdiness.

Purim celebrates the biblical story of how a plot to exterminate Jews in Persia was thwarted, and thus is embraced as an affirmation of Jewish survival throughout history.

For many Jews, it will have extra significance this year during a war in Gaza triggered by the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel in which Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage.

A war that has seen 30,000 Palestinian lives lost.

As a result, many cities in Israel have canceled traditional Purim parades, citing the war in Gaza.

Israel’s Education Ministry warned students not to come to school in costumes “that may cause fear, panic or injury.”

This includes costumes depicting Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza.

Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. This year, that means Purim begins on Saturday night and continues through Sunday. In most of Jerusalem, the holiday is celebrated one day later, from Sunday evening until Monday.

Ahead of the holiday, Israel police seized thousands of lifelike toy guns and grenades as part of “Operation Dangerous Toys.”

The ministry said the directive was issued “in the shadow of the war and in accordance with the security reality and the characteristics of the current period.”

AP video shot by Shlomo Mor

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