Jerusalem police disperse defiant Purim crowds as street parties violate wartime safety orders

Israel Police were forced to disperse large Purim crowds on Wednesday as revellers defied Home Front Command orders. Officials slammed the gatherings as “irresponsible” during the ongoing war.

People gathered in Jerusalem’s streets to celebrate Purim in defiance of the Home Front Command’s restrictions, prompting the police to disperse the crowds and issue a statement on Wednesday calling for people to stop gathering in public places.

The main event took place on Nissim Bachar Street, where the original Jerusalem Purim party was supposed to be held, with the police saying the gathering was “irresponsible” and a “very serious situation.”

“Over the past 24 hours and even at this hour, Jerusalem District police and Border Guard soldiers are dealing with gatherings and celebrations throughout the city,” the Israel Police stated at the time.

“While the police are deployed in bolstered forces to provide security to residents and operate in life-saving missions in the various arenas, they are forced to direct operational attention and precious resources to dealing with the dispersal of unnecessary gatherings that endanger public safety,” the police added.

A viral video shared by the police showed people dancing at a large street party, with the police also warning of the dangers posed by this type of behaviour.

DISCLAIMER: VIDEO INCLUDES SIREN SOUND. Israel Police warn over Purim celebrations in Jerusalem. (Credit: According to Article 27a of Israeli copyright law.)

“The Jerusalem Municipality clarified in an official announcement distributed to the public and the media that, with the exception of the Adlaiyda event, which will be postponed to a new date, all Purim events and parties in the city are canceled,” the Jerusalem Municipality said.

Purim celebrations in ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Shearim

The decision to suspend celebrations was also backed by the Chief Rabbinate, with the municipality clarifying that it had consulted with rabbis when deciding to suspend the Purim celebrations.

But in the ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Shearim, celebrations went ahead regardless, with images of people drinking and dancing in the street shared online.

During the weekend, a video showed people dancing near what seemed to be shrapnel from an Iranian missile, while police and rescue services worked in the area.

People dance next to the place where an Iranian missile shrapnel fell. (Credit: According to Article 24a of Israel’s copyright law.)

Later on Wednesday evening, the Home Front Command updated its guidelines, establishing that all areas of the country will transition from an essential activity level to a limited activity level, allowing gatherings of up to 50 people in locations from which a standard protected space can be reached within the required protection time.