Israelis flock to national parks, beaches for Rosh Hashanah

Tens of thousands of Israelis thronged to the country’s national parks and beaches to celebrate the Jewish new year, with the large crowds causing traffic jams and closures to additional visitors.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority said some 25,000 people were visiting national parks and nature reserves on Friday.

Some 40,000 people had visited the Sea of Galilee’s beaches since the start of the holiday on Thursday, and on Friday cars were prohibited from parking at two beaches due to the influx of visitors.

Unusually heavy traffic in parts of central and northern Israel were reported on Friday afternoon.

A 50-year-old man drowned Friday while swimming near Nahsholim Beach in northern Israel.

Paramedics from the Magen David Adom ambulance service tried to resuscitate him, but were forced to pronounce him dead.

Hebrew media reports said the man entered the water in an area forbidden to swimmers that has no lifeguard.