Israelis celebrate Purim
Purim is a spring holiday celebrated by Jews across the world
Jewish men celebrate Purim in the ultra orthodox Jewish neighbourhood of Mea Shearim, Jerusalem on 5 March (MEE/Constance Decorde)
Published date: 12 March 2015 14:33 GMT
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Last update: 9 years 8 months ago
Jewish adults and children transformed the streets of Israel (4-5 March) as they dressed in colourful costumes to celebrate the traditional festival of Purim.
The holiday commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia after Queen Esther foiled a royal advisor's plot to annihilate all the country's Jews.
It is traditionally marked with parades, the giving of presents and by observers sporting a host of costumes which traditionally take their cue from the Biblical story of Esther.
Jews are instructed to drink until they can no longer tell the difference between good and evil, or between Mordecai and Haman, two protagonists of the religious tale.
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