PM, politicians celebrate Mimouna across country

Politicians said Tarbahu u'tsaadu – the traditional post-Passover greeting of “May you prosper and be successful” – at Mimouna feasts across the country on Saturday night. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who celebrated at the home of the head of the Likud branch in Yavne, characterized the previous week of Passover as “quiet, kosher and happy.” “Quiet, thanks to our soldiers,” he added. Referring to the sweet pancakes traditionally served at Mimouna celebrations, Netanyahu declared: “After the days of Passover, days of matza, the time has come for moufleta.” The Mimouna holiday is marked on the day after Passover by Jews of Moroccan and other North African origin, and many other Israeli Jews have joined in the celebrations since the tradition was imported to Israel. This year the celebration was delayed for a day because Passover ended on Friday at the beginning of the Sabbath. The holiday is usually celebrated outdoors, with picnics and barbecues featuring traditional Moroccan dress, music and dancing, as well as food, especially moufleta. MKs across the political spectrum are known to take part in and give speeches at Mimouna celebrations around the country, while other festivities revolve around religious figures and are held at rabbis' homes. Shas leader Arye Deri, who was born in Meknes, Morocco, tweeted a photo of himself in a traditional Moroccan robe and fez, with the message: “May you have many pleasant and good years.” Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) celebrated in Bet Shemesh, at the home of Richard Peres, a Labor activist who hosts a Mimouna celebration every year. Also in Zionist Union, MK Yoel Hasson proudly took to social media to post “the first moufleta on Twitter,” a photo of the pancakes piled high with dozens of Moroccan sweets and cookies in the background. Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid celebrated in Netanya, with Mayor Miriam Feirberg, tweeting “there is nothing happier than a happy holiday.” Former president Shimon Peres stayed in Tel Aviv to celebrate the Mimouna, saying that the holiday “unites all the people of Israel.” “We deserve to be happy, eat moufleta and sing out loud,” Peres said.

PM, politicians celebrate Mimouna across country

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who celebrated at the home of the head of the Likud branch in Yavne, characterized the previous week of Passover as “quiet, kosher and happy.”

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