From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 11, 2023
40,000 at open air Tel Aviv rock concert, as Islamic Jihad tells Gazans to be ready to celebrate at 9p.m.
Some 40,000 Israelis gather in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park for a concert by local rocker Aviv Geffen despite the rocket fire from Gaza targeting south and central Israel.
Organizers get permission from the Home Front Command for the concert to go ahead and participants are told to sit on the ground and cover their heads if rocket sirens sound. Participants are told not to run for cover amid fears of a stampede.
הזיה.. אין מילים
פארק הירקון מתחיל להתמלא בזהירות לקראת נשף הרוק של אביב גפן שיתחיל ב-20:30. לפני זמן קצר חזרו וכרזו את הנחיות פיקוד העורף במקרה של אזעקה
A disaster waiting to happen
????@PikudHaoref1 pic.twitter.com/5iqheEIxS7— דבורה????????????????????????️ (@devorah555) May 11, 2023
Despite the fact that permission was granted, the event draws criticism.
Reserve general Yisrael Ziv, a former IDF operations chief, tells Channel 12 that the event is dangerous and irresponsible.
The event goes ahead after one person was killed in a rocket strike on nearby Rehovot and even as Islamic Jihad threatens further rocket attacks.
In a statement reported by Channel 12, it is telling the Gaza public to stand on roofs at 9 p.m. because there will be something to celebrate.
