Israel is poised to mark Memorial Day marked by a one-minute-long siren Monday evening during which the nations will stand in silence to remember the fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
This year, Memorial Day – otherwise known as the Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, or "Yom HaZikaron" – is marked in the shadow of the Hamas onslaught on Oct. 7, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed, and the deaths of 272 soldiers since the launch of the IDF ground campaign in the Gaza Strip.
A second, two-minute-long, siren will sound on Monday as the main ceremonies on Mount Herzl's military cemetery will begin for the fallen in wars and later for Israelis murdered in terrorist attacks.
In case of rocket fire, a distinct siren will sound, one with alternating tones rather than a constant steady tone.
Remembrance events will continue until Monday night, at which point the country will shift to celebrations over 76 years of independence.
See the full schedule below:
Sunday, May 12, 2024
07:00 p.m. Businesses across the country will close by this time as per the law
08:00 p.m. The first, one-minute-long, siren will sound throughout Israel
08:01 p.m. The national ceremony will begin at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem, to be attended by President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi
09:15 p.m. Knesset to hold a special event in memory of the fallen, to be attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman
Monday, May 13, 2024
08:30 a.m. The names of the fallen soldiers will be read at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem
11:00 a.m. The second, two-minute siren, will sound throughout Israel
11:02 a.m. Air Force jets will fly over Mt. Herzl, kicking off the main ceremony, to be attended by Herzog, Netanyahu, Ohana, and Vogelman, among others
01:00 p.m. Memorial ceremony for victims of terrorism will take place at Mt. Herzl.
07:45 p.m. The closing ceremony for Memorial Day will begin at Mt. Herzl.
Various other memorial ceremonies will be held at cemeteries, community centers, and schools across the country.
