IDF Seder (file)
IDF Seder (file)Israel news photo: Flash 90

On-duty soldiers will be celebrating Passover at Seders on their bases around the country, and, where necessary in the field – and the army is preparing with over 80 tons of matzah.

Along with the huge matzah purchase, IDF kitchens will be stocked with 6.5 tons of Nile Perch, 39 tons of meat, 11 tons of potatoes, 11,000 bottles of grape juice, 9,500 bottles of soft drinks, and 7.5 tons of Kosher for Passover cakes.

And that's just for soldiers celebrating the holiday on base. Those in the field will be given “Seder MREs” - ready to eat meals – which will include matzah, maror (bitter herbs), charoseth (the jam-like spread made from wine and apples), as well as all the other fixings of Passover dinner. Over 5,000 of these will be distributed for the Seder.

Although a holiday atmosphere will prevail, the army stressed that regular patrols and activities necessary to preserve security will continue – in order to ensure that the rest of Israel is able to celebrate the holiday in safety and security, the IDF added.