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Purim celebrations threaten fresh virus outbreak in Israel

  • Ultra-Orthodox Jewish girls wear costumes to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    1/13

    APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jewish girls wear costumes to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • An ultra-Orthodox Jewish girl wearing costume walks next to a wall spray-painted with the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    2/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    An ultra-Orthodox Jewish girl wearing costume walks next to a wall spray-painted with the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    3/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth wears a costume of a medical worker with protective gear during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    4/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth wears a costume of a medical worker with protective gear during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    5/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    6/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    7/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    8/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    9/13

    APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    10/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    11/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    12/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    13/13

    Virus Outbreak Israel Purim

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish girls wear costumes to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish girl wearing costume walks next to a wall spray-painted with the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth wears a costume of a medical worker with protective gear during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews some wearing costumes scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Associated Press
Updated ·1-min read

JERUSALEM (AP) — Mass gatherings took place in Jerusalem on Sunday as Israelis celebrated the Jewish holiday of Purim in violation of coronavirus restrictions.

Authorities had been concerned about a repeat of last year, when Purim celebrations helped fuel an initial wave of the coronavirus in the earliest days of the global pandemic. The government urged people to celebrate at home this year, and police attempted to block traffic from entering Jerusalem and declared strict limits on public gatherings.

But the restrictions were not able to prevent street parties as well as mass prayer celebrations in ultra-Orthodox areas, which have repeatedly flouted safety rules. With traffic clogged at the entrance of Jerusalem, Israeli TV stations showed videos of ultra-Orthodox families walking along the side of the highway into the city.

Purim marks the victory of Jews over a tyrant in ancient Persia and is celebrated with costumes, drinking and parties.

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The holiday was celebrated nationwide over the weekend, with Jerusalem celebrating a day later than the rest of the country. Similar safety violations took place in both secular and religious areas of the country.

The celebrations have threatened to undercut Israel’s successful vaccination campaign. The country has vaccinated most of its adult population, but younger Israelis in their teens, 20s and 30s have been slow to get inoculated.