Israel on Tuesday started observing Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. According to figures released by the Defense Ministry over the weekend, 56 soldiers were killed during their military service since Israel's last Memorial Day, and another 84 disabled veterans died due to complications from injuries sustained during their service, bringing the number of those who gave their lives in Israel's defense to 24,068.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Memorial Day commenced on Tuesday afternoon, with the first in a series of state ceremonies in Jerusalem when Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy lit the memorial torch at the Yad Labanim assembly in the capital.
A one-minute siren nationwide at 8 p.m., was followed by the state ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, led by President Isaac Herzog and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi.
Herzog spoke about the perseverance of Israeli and Jewish life despite the many threats and tragedies that have befallen the state over the past 74 years.
"The siren heard all across Israel is the purest moment in Israel's calendar, it is a moment that moves every fiber of our being, a moment of great sorrow, of memories, a moment in which we ask the heavens to open up and to give mercy upon the people of Israel," Herzog said. "This moment is the essence of Israel, form the deepest agony we then move on to the miracle of independence and revival."
Herzog mentioned the recent spate of terrorist attacks, saying that "the past several weeks, including the past several days, have been repleted with bereavement." He noted that even though "our enemies rise up to destroy us with hate-filled terrorism, they find us determined and prepared, holding a weapon in one hand and extending the other for peace."
After Herzog, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi spoke and noted that "the term Israel Defense Forces encapsulates our mission – we defend the right to live, and are willing to put our lives in danger in order to help all of us – as a nation – realize our right and duty to build a thriving, worthy and vibrant society." He added that "this is the spirit, the meaning of national actualization and self-fulfillment, this is the spirit we inherited from Abraham, and with it is the faith, the morality, and hope, as well as the courage to act and create. This is what led to the establishment of this great country, a place of our own, a safe place."
At 9:15 p.m. the Knesset was to host the national memorial event, with Herzog and Bennett presiding.
Concurrently, Masa Israel Journey held its Memorial Day ceremony in Latrun, attended by Israeli lawmakers and representatives of the Jewish Agency. It was translated into Hebrew, French and Russian and livestreamed online to hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world, including Masa alumni and community members in Russia, Turkey, South Africa, USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and more.
At 11 a.m. Wednesday, a two-minute siren will blare across the country, ushering in the state service at the National Hall for Israel's Fallen on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Memorial services will also take place at Israel's 52 military cemeteries throughout the day.
Wednesday's main service will be attended by bereaved families rescued from Ukraine with the aid of the Jewish Agency.
At 1 p.m. the national service honoring victims of terrorism will commence in Jerusalem with Herzog, Bennett and Chief Justice Esther Hayut in attendance.
At 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, the state service ending Memorial Day and ushering in Israel's 74th Independence Day will be held on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
