Good weather boosts Purim celebrations

VIDEO - Purim celebrations across Israel gained momentum Sunday due to the fine weather. Thousands of people took to the streets to watch and take part in the festive parades. In the city of Nesher, near Haifa, 3,000 residents took part in a colorful parade, accompanied by huge dolls built by the city's schoolchildren. A big Purim party was later held at the city's culture hall. In Haifa, the Louis Promenade in the hotel area was turned into a colorful carnival site, with performances and art workshops for children. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav took part in the celebrations dressed as a king. Karadi costume (Photo: Kiryat Yam Municipality) In Kiryat Yam, also in the Haifa area, the main attraction was a mountain of snow brought to a school's backyard straight from Mount Hermon. Ofer Azrani, a Civil Guard volunteer, stole the show when he arrived dressed up as resigning Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi. Thousands of people participated in the traditional celebrations in the city Holon, just south of Tel Aviv. Some 1,900 police and Border Guard officers, Civil Guard volunteers, sappers, inspectors and users were in charge of securing the event. Residents of the rocket-battered town of Sderot and Gaza vicinity communities celebrated Purim in Park Eshkol, near Ashkelon, in an event sponsored by the Jewish Agency. Celebrating in Ashkelon (Photo: Ashkelon Municipality) A full closure was imposed on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip starting Friday morning until Monday night, for fear terror organizations will attempt to carry out attacks during the holiday of Purim. Security forces were on high alert following the Israel Defense Forces and the Border Guards' operation in the territories this week and the terror attack thwarted in Tel Aviv 10 days ago. Terror organizations have attempted to carry out attacks in Purim in the past, and have succeeded more than once. In 1996, 13 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. Shmulik Hadad contributed to the report

Good weather boosts Purim celebrations

(VIDEO) Thousands of people take part in holiday celebrations, held under tight security