Purim 2015 deviated from the norm in that the weather was beautiful and it did not rain. It also fell, conveniently, on a Wednesday night / Thursday day, with Shushan Purim (celebrated in walled cities) on Thursday night / Friday. In other words, if you started partying in Tel Aviv, you could continue the next day in Jerusalem and on through the weekend.
With that in mind, Israelis shook off the post-winter blahs and pre-election tensions — not to mention distressing news of a car-ramming terror attack (fortunately with no fatalities) — to join in the street festivals taking place around the country.
Tel Aviv had an estimated 40,000 people raving in Rabin Square…
While Jerusalemites gathered in Safra Square for a Purim festival…
The festivities were on from Haifa to the north…
To Beersheva in the south…
And Holon hosted the traditional Adloyada parade.
Photos courtesy of the municipalities of Beersheva, Haifa, Holon, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.