Under Threat of Terror, Israelis Prepare to Celebrate Passover Holiday

Security forces are on high alert and a full closure was imposed Wednesday morning on the West Bank and Gaza Strip in an attempt to prevent terrorists from perpetrating attacks during the Passover holiday.

According to a public opinion poll conducted by Gesher, the secular-religious dialogue group, 94 percent of Jewish Israelis will be attending a Passover Seder Wednesday night. Some 100,000 of them will do so at a hotel, the Israel Hotel Association reported. "The holiday of Passover has conquered the hearts of most Israelis," Gesher director Dr. Daniel Tropper said. "This is proof that we can unite around the Jewish traditions."

An emotional Seder will be held at Netanya’s Park Hotel – the location of the homicide bombing which last year killed 29 Israelis and injured some 140 on the first night of Passover.

The Seder will be attended by some of the families of the victims of last year’s attack. "This evening will be very symbolic," said Park Hotel owner Corinne Mamami. "All the guests will come to identify with us, to prove that the Palestinians will not destroy us. This is our country and we will not move from it. They will not break our spirit."

Another emotional Seder will be held at Tel Aviv’s Kikar Hamedina square, where many Israelis left homeless by their dire economic situation have been camping out. Some 350 people are expected to attend the Seder in the square. Expected to attend the event are former chief rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and Labor MKs Amram Mitzna and Dalia Itzik. According to MA’ARIV, some 850 new immigrants have been invited to attend special public Sederim in Jerusalem, which will be held at community centers, hotels and synagogues. A Passover Seder was held yesterday for IDF soldiers who do not have family in Israel.

Source: Israeli Consulate of New York