Israel on Wednesday marked Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism, honoring the Jewish state's 24,068 fallen soldiers and 3,199 victims of terrorist attacks.
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According to figures released by the Defense Ministry, 56 soldiers were killed during their military service since Memorial Day 2021, and another 84 disabled veterans died due to complications from injuries sustained during their service.
Terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 33 Israelis over the past year. Another four disabled victims died from complications related to severe injuries sustained in attacks.
Video: Shmuel Buchris, Moshe Ben Simhon, Yaniv Zohar, Yoni Rykner
Memorial Day honors all those who gave their lives in the defense of the Jewish Yishuv that predated Israel's inception, dating back to 1860; all members of Israel's security forces – the IDF, Israel Police, Shin Bet security agency, and Mossad intelligence agency, as well as all those who perished in terrorist attacks since Israel was established in 1948.
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 blared nationwide at 8 p.m. after which all state flags were lowered to half-mast. The first of state ceremonies then followed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, led by President Isaac Herzog and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi.
"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, from the deepest agony we then move on to the miracle of independence and revival."
Kochavi paid respects to the bereaved families, saying, "The vast majority of families in Israel wait and get to embrace their children at the end their military service, but you waited in vain. Some of you are still waiting.
"They will not return," he said of the fallen. "They will not return, but thanks to them, many have. Thanks to them, the lives of tens of thousands of Israelis have been saved, and we owe them a large part of our national security and achievements.
"Your pain is unbearable. The grief is oppressive and relentless, and it overpowers Sabbaths, holidays, and birthdays. The entire IDF and I bow our heads in sympathy, sorrow, and appreciation for your resilience," the chief of staff said.
Wednesday's ceremonies commenced at 11 a.m. when a two-minute siren brought Israel to a halt, ushering in the state service at the National Hall for Israel's Fallen on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bennett stressed the importance of national unity, saying, "Our people yearn for unity. Now more than ever, we are required to strengthen the fabric that weaves us all into one nation and must prove that it is possible to act together not only on the battlefields but in our daily life."
He also spoke of Israel's "iron wall of strength" in the face of its enemies, vowing to attack not only the enemy directly, but also those who "send it," and stressing that the "era of impunity is over."
Memorial services also took place at Israel's 52 military cemeteries throughout the day.
Wednesday's main service was 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 was held in Jerusalem with Herzog, Bennett, and Chief Justice Esther Hayut in attendance.
During the ceremony, Herzog said that Israel was "stronger than ever, and will counter any threat and attack with an Iron fist." Herzog said that despite he was not originally scheduled to speak, "I saw it as my duty to deliver a speech in this ceremony during my first year as president."
"I am doing so in order to express no just my own deep sympathies but also the great solidarity you have among all Israelis," he said.
Bennett also spoke at the ceremony. His speech was interrupted for several minutes by bereaved families. Bennett later continued, but not before telling the bereaved families, "You are saints, and you are allowed to criticize." He also promised that Israel will "lay its hands on all terrorists," and that a special memorial hall bearing the names of the victims of terrorism will be built at the site.
At 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, the state service ending Memorial Day and ushering in Israel's 74th Independence Day was to be held on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
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