In a video message aired during the ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "In the War of Independence, we stood alone as five Arab nations invaded our land after we declared statehood. The spirit of generations and the life force of a people unwilling to die sustained us, as King David said in Psalms, 'I shall not die, but live.'"
The shift from grief to festivity was particularly poignant this year after a spate of Palestinian terrorist attacks in October left more than 1200 Israelis dead, mostly civilians. This year's traditional Torch-Lighting Ceremony on Mount Herzl was prerecorded, dedicated mainly to those affected by the Hamas atrocities and the war in Gaza.
Remembrance events will continue until Monday night, at which point the country will shift to celebrations over 76 years of independence.
Remembrance events will continue until Monday night, at which point the country will shift to celebrations over 76 years of independence.
Under the theme “We Are One,” thousands of attendees and hundreds of thousands of viewers across the globe, took part. The ceremony was live-streamed to a global audience with speeches of the many dignitaries.
Ben-Gvir's office issued the following statement: "The minister is feeling well, conscious, and being transferred for further medical treatment at Assaf Harofeh Hospital."
The man, 25 years old, was attempting to remove the flag when the blast occurred.
"It was clear to me that I was going to a combat role in order to contribute as much as possible," 20-year-old Yitzhak from Bnei Brak says.
Representatives of the attorney general meet with officials from the National Security Ministry and the Prison Service to clarify the conditions of terrorists in prisons.
US and Western officials anticipate that Israel will quickly respond to Iran’s weekend drone and missile offensive, officials told the US outlet. But the officials said they hoped both countries could come away with a sense of victory, giving them an off-ramp that would limit escalatory moves.