Sirens replace celebrations as Israelis head to shelters on religious holiday

Typically, Purim in Tel Aviv would draw crowds of revelers in colorful costumes, with the streets alive with music and laughter. But this year, the festive spirit was muted as the holiday began Monday evening. The city’s usual vibrancy was disrupted by the recent escalation in the conflict, which started with an Israeli and U.S. strike on Iran on Saturday. Sidewalks were empty, shops closed, and only a few individuals lingered at cafes, their costumes incomplete against the backdrop of tension.

For many, the quiet was a stark contrast to the holiday’s usual energy. Daphna Lustig, a writer in her 40s whose home overlooks Dizengoff Square, noted the difference. “If this was a normal Purim, you wouldn’t have been able to move here,” she remarked. Her words were interrupted by a sudden alert from the Home Front Command, prompting a swift evacuation. Within moments, the square transformed into a ghost town, as residents rushed to shelters and safe rooms.

Israelis have grown accustomed to the sound of sirens over nearly two and a half years of conflict. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the country has endured rocket fire from Gaza, missile strikes from Hezbollah, and ballistic threats from Iran and the Houthis in Yemen. The current situation has become a familiar routine, even if it feels emotionally draining. “There’s no sense of panic,” Lustig said. “Unlike in previous rounds, people know there’s time – they don’t jump up in fear. There’s a kind of routine, even though it’s depressing to call this a ‘routine.’”

Despite the usual disruptions, the Israeli public remains largely supportive of the military campaign. A February survey by the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies revealed that 78% of Israelis view Iran as the most pressing security concern. Additionally, 50.5% of respondents expressed backing for an independent strike, even if a nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran is reached. This support has been bolstered by weeks of anticipation, following President Donald Trump’s backing of Iran’s anti-government protests in early January.

For some, the conflict has reshaped Purim into an exercise in preparedness. Taylor Sanchez, who relocated to Israel from Orlando, Florida, two and a half years ago, shared her plans. “My costume was ready at home,” she said. “I was thinking about wearing it just to walk around. We try to go outside whenever we can. We know where the shelters and safe places are.” Yet others, like Sophie Leb from Florida, had taken more drastic measures. “This time, unlike previous rounds, we knew it was coming for weeks,” she explained. “It’s almost like – finally, at least the anxiety is over.”

San Bleicher, a Tel Aviv resident, voiced cautious optimism about the ongoing war. “At some point, I believe people will lose patience, like in the previous round, if they feel the targets are becoming less significant,” she said. “But for now, I feel like this is a necessary war, a regional opportunity Israel had to seize. It feels correct and moving in the right direction.”