The Passover holiday has ended and like every year, many politicians are attending the Mimouna celebrations throughout Israel. Mimouna is a feast marking the end of Passover, in which leavened food, which was forbidden to eat during Passover, is served amidst great celebration and joy. The custom was brought to Israel by Moroccan Jews and has spread to mainstream Israeli culture.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu attended the Mimouna celebration of the Maimon family as he does every year.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (New Right) is participating in three Mimouna celebrations: at an event for lawyers in Mevaseret Zion, at the home of the head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, Itamar Revivo, and a celebration in Lod. Rafi Peretz, chairman of the United Right, participated in the event at Etz Efraim and is continuing to Lod.
Participants at the Mimouna celebrations in Samaria include Rabbi Haim Druckman, Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan, Karnei Shomron Local Council Head Yigal Lahav, Kedumim Local Council Head Hananel Dorani, ministers, MKs and other public figures, and heads and directors of yeshivas and Bnei Akiva high schools.
Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev (Likud) attended a celebration in Gan Yavne and will continue to Ashkelon, Ashdod, Lod and Moshav Azaria.
President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, praised the Mimouna celebrations, saying: "The Mimouna celebration is a nostalgic tradition brought to Israel by North African immigrants which has become an Israeli holiday that crosses racial and ethnic lines."
"I wish and hope that we'll know how to rejoice together in this united joy, which is so present at the wonderful Mimouna celebration, during the rest of the year as well," Rivlin added.