‘Jewish Link,’ paper serving orthodox Jewish community of NY and NJ, thinks it’s funny to publish Purim satire about Israeli military sharpshooters shooting 100,000 Palestinians with vaccine. “We look forward to shooting them a second time.”
Ahmad Al-Bazz and Anne Paq send a photo essay from Hebron where Israeli settlers marched down Shuhada Street towards the Ibrahimi mosque to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim, under the protection of Israeli soldiers and police. The parade started at what was called the “Elor Azaria” junction, a reference to the spot where Azaria, an Israeli soldier and medic, killed an incapacitated Palestinian in March 2016.
Purim is an affirmation of the Diaspora whereas Hanukkah was a commemoration of the restoration of Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel. From this standpoint it is interesting to note the difference in the two holidays’ relative importance in the Jewish liturgical cycle over the course of Jewish history.