Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism will begin on Tuesday evening, April 29, 2025, and continue through Wednesday until the closing ceremony. The day honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country's existence and security.
Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of hostile acts begins Tuesday evening, April 29, 2025, Iyar 1, 5785, at 8:00 p.m. and continues throughout Wednesday, April 30, Iyar 2, until the closing ceremony at 8:00 p.m.
Independence Day will begin Wednesday evening, April 30, 2025 (Iyar 5, 5785), immediately following Memorial Day ceremonies, and continue until Thursday evening, May 1, 2025. The transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day symbolizes the deep connection between remembering the fallen and the establishment of the state, including the traditional torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl.
When are the sirens?
The first siren will sound nationwide at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Iyar 1, 5785. The second siren will sound nationwide at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Iyar 2, 5785.
Weather on Memorial Day 2025
On Tuesday evening, Memorial Day eve, it will still be cool, especially in mountainous regions. During Memorial Day itself, the weather will turn hot and dry with temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit in most areas of the country (except near the coast) and humidity will be very low.
On Wednesday, Memorial Day for IDF fallen soldiers, it will be partly cloudy with medium and high-level clouds. There will be a significant increase in temperatures, making it hotter than usual to scorching. From the afternoon hours, winds will intensify and haze is possible. Light rainfall may occur.
Although the expected heat wave this week will not be as extreme as last week's, when April heat records were broken in southern Israel and many areas experienced temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit, preparations should still be made for a hot and scorching Memorial Day, with dryness, haze, and risk of fire spreading in open areas.
Why was the Hebrew date of Memorial Day and Independence Day moved up this year?
According to government decision and the Independence Day Law (1949), when Independence Day (5th of Iyar) falls on Friday or Saturday – the holiday is postponed or moved up to prevent Sabbath desecration due to rehearsals, security drills, state ceremonies, etc.
Since the 5th of Iyar 5785 (the historical date of the Declaration of Independence) falls this year on Saturday (May 3, 2025), it was decided to move Memorial Day and Independence Day forward to days that would not cause Sabbath desecration or harm to the honor of the fallen.
When do businesses close on Memorial Day eve?
By law, businesses are prohibited from opening on the eve of Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of hostile acts, from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. All stores required to close including "public entertainment" venues such as theaters, cafes, cinemas, concerts, discos, dance halls, sports venues, food establishments selling food or drinks, etc., must remain closed.
Is there a school holiday on Memorial Day?
On Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of hostile acts, classes in schools and kindergartens proceed normally during morning hours, typically ending early according to Ministry of Education guidelines. Many institutions end the school day around 12:00-1:00 p.m. to allow students and staff to participate in community and family ceremonies. There are no afternoon classes.
The next day, on Independence Day (May 1, 2025), there are no classes in all educational institutions – it is a full holiday according to the Ministry of Education's holiday schedule. On Friday, May 2, 2025, classes resume as normal in schools and kindergartens.
Memorial Day, Tuesday night, April 29:
4:30 p.m.: Opening ceremony for Memorial Day events for IDF fallen soldiers at "Yad LaBanim" house in Jerusalem, attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion
8:00 p.m.: One-minute silence siren
8:01 p.m.: State ceremony at the Western Wall plaza, attended by President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir
9:15 p.m.: "Songs in Their Memory" at the Knesset. Musical performance in memory of fallen soldiers and victims of hostile acts, in cooperation with the Knesset, Ministry of Defense, IDF, Police, and National Insurance Institute
Memorial Day, Wednesday day, April 30:
8:30 a.m.: Reading of names of fallen soldiers at the Hall of Remembrance on Mount Herzl, attended by the Defense Minister
11:00 a.m.: Two-minute silence siren
11:02 a.m.: Israeli Air Force missing man formation flyover above the military cemetery on Mount Herzl
11:02 a.m.: State ceremony for IDF fallen soldiers at the Hall of Remembrance on Mount Herzl. Simultaneously, memorial ceremonies will begin at military cemeteries across the country
1:00 p.m.: State ceremony in memory of terror victims in Israel and abroad at Mount Herzl
7:45 p.m.: State closing ceremony for Memorial Day events and opening of Israel's 77th Independence Day celebrations.
