Jewish and Israeli Holidays
The ceremony that traditionally marks the start of Yom Ha’atzmaut was canceled due to a massive blaze in the nearby hills and strong winds.
Banner calling for arson circulated online hours before the fires erupted, just ahead of Israel’s Independence Day.
“I come from a Zionist home—love for Israel was everything,” says Cpl. N, 20, who serves as a combat fitness instructor based in Ramat Aviv.
Mass evacuations, road closures and rising injuries prompt Israel to declare highest fire alert • Greece and Cyprus send emergency firefighting assistance.
Local Likud Party branch head Racheli Ben-Ari Sakat called those participating in the event at Ra’anana’s Beit Samueli synagogue “traitors,” and vowed that the protest was just the “opening shot.”
“Our hearts are with the fallen, their families, and the wounded. We are determined to achieve a clear victory—without compromise—whether in Gaza, Southern Lebanon, or northern Samaria. We will defend ourselves against any threat,” said the Israeli defense minister.
This year’s program was dedicated in memory of lone soldier Michael Levin and Sara Blaustein, both of whom made aliyah from the US.
A total of 43 lone soldiers were commemorated for this year’s Yom Hazikaron.
Troops across elite IDF units commemorated Memorial Day with dedicated races and navigation events.
The Israeli president called for unity and vowed to return the hostages from Gaza • Since last Memorial Day, 319 soldiers have fallen, and terrorism has claimed 79 more victims.
Memorial at Mishmar HaEmek expands to mark the devastating toll on Israel’s kibbutzim.
“They tell the story of a people who built a country out of faith, sacrifice and deep love for this land,” Efrat Sinai, director of archives at KKL-JNF.
