Tens of thousands visit Israel’s national parks on Second Passover

Nature reserves from north to south fill up with hikers, Sea of Galilee beaches packed as Israelis enjoy the fine weather

Hikers in the Negev (Meir Orbach/Nature and Parks Authority)
Hikers in the Negev (Meir Orbach/Nature and Parks Authority)

Tens of thousands of Israelis took advantage of fair weather on Friday, Pesach Sheni (or the Second Passover holiday), to visit the country’s nature reserves and national parks.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority estimated that around 200,000 people had visited by late afternoon.

Popular locations included the Yarkon National Park east of Tel Aviv, the Ashkelon National Park, Gan HaShlosha (Sakhne) and the Banias Nature Reserve in the north, and Massada and Ein Gedi in the south.

Thousands of people were also enjoying the beaches of the Sea of Galilee.

People enjoy blooming flowers on the Golan Heights, northern Israel, during the holiday of Passover, on April 20, 2019. (Flash90)

Authorities said several parks and beaches had been closed to further visitors due to the large numbers.

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