Controversial Jerusalem Purim parade sees lower turnout than expected – report

Turnout at the Jerusalem Purim parade was far below the numbers expected by the municipality, Channel 12 news reports.

While preparations had been made for tens of thousands of revelers, only a few thousand attended the event in the capital.

Jerusalem’s first Purim parade in 42 years raised ire among city residents, relatives of hostages held in Gaza and others affected by October 7 and the war against Hamas.

The “Adloyada” event (shorthand for an Aramaic phrase in the Talmud describing the commandment to drink oneself into a stupor as part of the holiday celebration) was adjusted after relatives met with Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion last week.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum says among those leading the parade were relatives of Lior Rudaeff, Romi Gonen, Carmel Gat, Itzik Elgarat, Ofer Kalderon, Omer Shem-Tov, Uriel Baruch and Omri Miran.

A small protest against the parade was held close to the parade route.

“In a year where there are 134 hostages, hundreds of dead, more than a hundred thousand Israelis who [are evacuated and] do not live in their homes — they have no joy,” protester Nir Argov tells Channel 12.

“And now to hold Adloyada in Jerusalem? It is impossible to be happy. An entire nation is traumatized. The children can have parties and celebrations in the schools and kindergartens, but it is not appropriate to celebrate outside in the city,” Argov says.