Notwithstanding the Corona Regulations: Hundreds of young people participated in gatherings today (Saturday) in the area of the flea market in Jaffa, at a party in honor of Purim, contrary to the guidelines. Police know about the forbidden gathering, and fined passers-by and business owners. The police said that although there is no ban on roaming the streets, it is a dangerous crowd that could harm public health.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the youth celebrations, saying that “it is very difficult to see these images at life-threatening pirate parties. There is no reason for these violations.”
Purim is a life-saving holiday, so it is very difficult to see these images of mass gatherings at life-threatening pirate parties.
There is no reason for these violations. We have a clear exit plan: a green passport, gradual opening of education, vaccination of the rest of the population and opening of the economy
– Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) February 27, 2021
A police source told Maariv: “There are no detainees, and it is allowed to walk around the street and also buy takeaway. No doubt there are risks in documented gatherings, but there is a problem to enforce. Regulations issued by the government are like ‘Swiss cheese’ with the holes in them.”
Tel Aviv Jaffa municipality Released a statement in response to the mass party at the flea market, writing that “we are sorry for the gatherings reflecting disregard for the guidelines. However, the responsibility for dispersal lies with the police.”
Inside such, the police It issued a statement in which it clarified that “Contrary to incorrect publications, we will make it clear that Jaffa police officers have been increasing enforcement in the ‘Flea Market’ area for public safety since this morning, along with announcing to the many attendees to maintain the required distance and wearing masks as required, for their health. The public presence in the public space and the purchase of food does not constitute an offense according to the guidelines at this time, therefore any wrong claim in the context of enforcement should be rejected outright. ”
Flea Market, Jaffa (Photo: Hadar Seidman)The Minister of Health, Yuli Edelstein, said at the weekend that “celebrants at the infection parties should know – a spike in illness will be registered in your name, business closure will be because of you, loss of human life will be on your conscience”, Edelstein He told Maariv that “it is forbidden to be forgiving of any violation of instructions on Purim. Not for contagion parties or tishim. This is a deliberate spread of an epidemic and it should not be taken lightly.”
Also, an AMN report published yesterday showed that the coefficient of infection continues to rise and approach 1, and today it is set at 0.97. The AMN called on the government to reconsider the latest opening measures, in light of the alarming rise in morbidity.