Hebron celebrates Purim under heavy guard

Traditional holiday procession leaves Kiryat Arba municipal building to Cave of Patriarchs. Popular costumes include Libyan leader Gaddafi, disobedient soldier from Havat Gilad, homosexual from Tel Aviv

The traditional Adloyada Purim parade was held this year in several cities across the country, including Kiryat Arba and the Jewish settlement in Hebron.

Some 300 residents celebrated the holiday under heavy security of police, IDF and Border Guard forces.

The festive procession left the Kiryat Arba regional council building at 11 am and proceeded to the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

Among the participants were right-wing activist Itamar Ben Gvir, who dressed up as United States President Barack Obama, Spokesperson for the Jewish settlement in Hebron Noam Arnon and head of the Yesha Civil Rights organization Orit Strok, who donned Gaddafi costumes.

Other popular costumes included IDF combat soldier Shimon Weisman, whose house was destroyed during the evacuation of Havat Gilad outpost, and Peace Now director Yariv Openheimer.

One of the young participants wore a woman's necklace, lipstick and heavy makeup. When asked what he dressed up as, his friend quickly explained: "A homosexual from Tel Aviv."

As the holiday commands, the participants carried bottles of wine and constantly drank, while singing and dancing. No unusual incidents were reported during the event, though Hebron Police Chief Arnon Friedman confiscated a toy gun from an 8-year-old boy, because it resembled an M16 assault rifle.