Israel's Remembrance/Independence Day

Monday evening was the beginning of Remembrance Day in Israel, followed on Tuesday evening by Independence Day.  The juxtaposition of the two days is intentional:  the losses remembered on the first day made possible the state celebrated on the second.  The two days are thus actually a single holiday of sadness and joy.

 

Here is an excerpt from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Message to Diaspora Communities on the occasion of Israel’s 61st Independence Day:

Each year that we mark the rebirth of the Jewish state after long centuries of exile is a great cause for celebration. . . . With the rebirth of Israel, we were once again able to chart our own destiny and determine our own future.

The past 61 years show just what a free and independent Jewish nation can achieve. With scarce resources, we brought a barren land back to life and absorbed millions of immigrants. Through innovation and determination, the genius of our people has made us a leader in agriculture, medicine and science, while our creativity spawned a high-tech industry that continues to amaze the world. We have achieved peace with Egypt and Jordan and we will continue to seek peace with all our neighbors.

All this has been achieved even though Israel has lived under constant threat for 61 years. . . .  On this Independence Day, let us take pride in all we have accomplished and let us look forward to a time of security, prosperity and peace.

Israelis stand still during a two-minute siren marking Memorial Day as a building is lit up with an image of Israel's flag in Tel Aviv April 27, 2009. Israel commemorates its fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, which begins on Monday night.  (Reuters 4).

 

Israelis hold a two-minute silence in the coastal city of Netanya as sirens wail across Israel on April 27, 2009 to mark Remembrance Day for the fallen of Israel's wars. Israel marked Remembrance Day in honour of soldiers and civilians killed since Jews first settled outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City in 1860. As soon as Remembrance Day ceremonies finish on April 28, the nation begins the festivities of Independence Day, marking 61 years since Israel was created.  (Getty Images 3)/

 

Israeli youths stand next to torches during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, Monday, April 27, 2009. Israel paused as air raid sirens wailed Monday evening, marking the beginning of the nation's annual Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, and leaders warned that the Jewish state still faces threats to its existence.  (AP Photo 1).

 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony marking the annual Memorial Day at Jerusalem's Ammunition Hill April 27, 2009.  (Reuters 5)

 

Israeli army soldiers stand in formation during a ceremony marking Memorial Day at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City April 27, 2009. Israel commemorates its fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, which begins on Monday night.  (Reuters Photo 2).

 

Israelis hold their national flag during a two-minute silence in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya as sirens wail across Israel on April 27, 2009 to mark Remembrance Day for the fallen of Israel's wars.   (Getty 6).

 

Israeli soldiers salute after placing flags on graves of fallen soldiers at the Kiryat Shaul military cemetery in Tel Aviv April 27, 2009.  (Reuters 7).

 

An Israeli soldier lights a memorial candle at a grave of a fallen soldier at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, Monday, April 27, 2009.  (AP Photo 8)

 

An Israeli soldier salutes after placing an Israeli flag on a soldier’s grave at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on April 26, 2009 one day before the start of the Israeli Memorial Day for fallen soldiers. At least 22,570 Israelis have been killed in combat or Arab attacks since 1890.  (Getty Images 10).