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
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