IN PHOTOS: Israelis ring in the new year
MDA paramedics treat 83 for excessive alchohol consumption, 35 hurt in road accidents and 40 hurt in violent incidents on New Year's Eve.
Israelis rang in the new year on the cold and rainy Saturday night with a toast and the traditional New Year's kiss.
Mirit and Tal, a couple from Givatayim, went to a private party in Kfar Yona. "This is a party organized by a Facebook group, 'Women Talk,' where we met. For a second there, we felt like we wanted to feel young for a moment so we went out. We'll stay til after midnight and of course we'll kiss. Don't worry, we got a babysitter for the kids," they said.
Noa, an 18-year-old soldier from Gedera, said she and her friends went to a bar in Rishon Lezion, where they planned to stay until 2am. "New Year's Eve is a chance to celebrate, so we do. And the rain doesn't bother us."
Yuli, 33 from Tel Aviv, spent the night with her partner Sagi and other friends at a concert. We chose to go to a concert of (Israeli rock bands) Mofa Ha'arnavot Shel Dr. Kasper and HaYehudim at the Zappa club in Givat Brenner because we didn't feel like waiting in lines. It's cold outside and we didn't want to go someplace crowded," she said. "The most important thing is to be with the people you love, good music, and alchohol. The rest we'll leave for warmer days."
Magen David Adom paramedics treated hundreds of people across the country overnight, including 189 who were treated at New Year's Eve celebrations and events. Among them, 35 were hurt in road accidents, including one 23 year old who was killed after his car flipped over on Route 98 near Buq'ata.
Forty people were hurt in violent incidents, three were in moderate condition. Eighty-three teenagers and adults were treated for excessive alcohol consumption—all were in light condition. One, a 33-year-old man, fell from the first floor in Ashdod.
