Israel offers a boozy welcome to 2014
Ambulance crews attend to dozens of revelers who had more than enough to drink
Israelis joined in the world-wide party that celebrated the arrival of 2014 as the clock struck midnight on Tuesday.
Though New Years, known as Sylvester in Israel, is not an official holiday, thousands still took to bars to celebrate, with officials reporting dozens of injuries from bar fights and alcohol poisoning.
The Magen David Adom rescue service treated 23 people injured in violent incidents, two of whom suffered moderate injuries.
In addition, 49 people required treatment after consuming too much alcohol, Channel 2 reported.
Extra police were deployed ahead of the celebrations to try and keep matters under control and in particular, to prevent the sale of alcohol to under-aged drinkers.
Israelis call New Year’s Eve Sylvester — a term also used in some European countries, which refers to fourth-century Pope Sylvester I who died on December 31.
Although many Israelis mark the arrival of the New Year, it is a much lower key event than in Western countries and there is no local equivalent to the dropping of the ball in Times Square or the fantastic fireworks displays in capitals around the world. January 1 is not a public holiday, and business is as usual in the work place.
Meanwhile, cities around the globe threw their traditional spectacular public celebrations to herald the start of 2014.
By tradition, and geographic location, Australia kicked off the international partying with a firework display on the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
In Dubai a huge pyrotechnics display marked the moment 2014 reached the Middle Eastern state.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.