a bitter-tasting New Year’s Eve in Tel Aviv

In Tel Aviv (Israel), the city of celebration, many will not celebrate on the evening of Sunday, December 31. “In the last three months, some days, three to eight soldiers died in Gaza. We must, in our hearts, think of them, and not party with glitter“, confides a young girl. The owner of the restaurant La Maison de Dallal, which is sold out, has planned a less festive New Year’s Eve dinner than usual.

Empty benches at university

Unlike in past years, there will be no DJ, just background music. “We just want to create a huge bubble of happiness and optimism. We are going to wish each other a better year, and above all, hope that this nightmare stops“, explains Andrea Leitersdorf. On this non-holiday Sunday in Israel, it is back-to-school day for students. It has been delayed several times because of the war. The places for young reservists, mobilized, are empty. Despite the shortage , some will celebrate the New Year this evening.