Israel National News

International Bible Contest winners: Evyatar Bar-Gil and David Shasha

A total of 16 contestants - 12 from the Diaspora and four from Israel - competed in the International Bible Contest for youth.

Biden to Herzog:

Biden to Herzog: 'US is proud of our enduring relationship with Israel'

President Biden sends President Herzog greetings on Israel’s 76th Independence Day, praising Israelis' significant resilience and strength following Hamas' October 7th attack.

Douglas Murray:

Douglas Murray: 'In the face of death cults, choose life'

Douglas Murray dedicated his Hamilton Award to the people of Israel for their national response to the October 7th massacre.

Officer receives award from President - in a wheelchair

Staff Sergeant Chen Na'imi was awarded a distinguished service award for Yom Ha'atzmaut. The officer, who fought in the war, was severely wounded and is in the process of a long rehabilitation.

Will Rafah operation harm ties with Egypt? Reports are conflicted

Egyptian source claims 'no plans to suspend ties' with Israel, as other reports say Cairo is weighing recalling ambassador from Tel Aviv.

After losing his legs in battle:

After loosing his legs in battle | Elisha Medan: Iran and Hezbollah want to divide us

Elisha Medan, IDF soldier who lost his legs in battle, joins Outstanding Soldiers ceremony, calling for unity amongst the nation.

Bereaved mother:

Bereaved mother: If there's ever a day to be thankful for our Land - this is it

Thousands attend OU Israel’s Leil Yom Ha'atzmaut musical prayer session: 'This year, more than ever, we raise our flags even higher.'

Religious Services Ministry to fund alternate Lag Ba'Omer fires

In the coming days, a national tender is expected to be issued, within which religious councils across the country will have the opportunity to submit requests for funding Lag BaOmer events.

Pres. Herzog:

Pres. Herzog: We will choose life, we won't rest until hostages are home

Israeli President Herzog speaks at traditional Independence Day ceremony honoring outstanding soldiers begins at President's Residence in Jerusalem. 'Strength of spirit and bravery.'

Temple Mount:

Temple Mount: Jewish worshiper raises Israeli flag, sings national anthem

Temple Mount opens to Jews in honor of Independence Day, hundreds ascend Mount to pray.

Independence Day 2024:

Independence Day 2024: Flyover over the Hostages Square, Israel Prize in Sderot

Independence Day events continue, with outstanding soldiers ceremony, International Bible Contest, scheduled for later in the day.

Cameron to the BBC:

Cameron to the BBC: Refer to Hamas as a terrorist organization

British Foreign Secretary suggests BBC reconsider its guidelines on Hamas in light of video released by the organization showing British-Israeli hostage Nadav Popplewell.

IDF investigating

UN worker shot dead in Rafah, IDF investigating

Deputy UN Spokesman confirms a staff member from the UN Department of Safety and Security was killed near the European Hospital in Rafah.

Columbia University-affiliated seminary to divest from Israel

Union Theological Seminary announces its board of trustees endorsed a divestment plan from "companies profiting from war in Palestine/Israel".

Canadian Prime Minister:

Canadian Prime Minister: Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in statement on Israel’s Independence Day: Our countries have forged a close friendship and strong bilateral relationship.

Singer Miri Mesika sings 'Hatikva' with freed hostages

Before the anthem, Mesika dedicates one of her songs to the freed hostages and prays for the return of all 132 hostages who are still in captivity.

Watch:

Watch: Soldiers in Gaza dancing in honor of Independence Day

IDF soldiers from the 22nd Battalion of the Carmeli Brigade celebrate Independence Day in the Netzarim Corridor, waving Israeli flags and breaking into dance.

IDF intercepts UAV that made its way towards Israel

The UAV was monitored by IDF soldiers, did not cross into Israeli territory and no sirens were sounded according to protocol.

Jerusalem's Old City walls illuminated with '76 years for Israel'

Along with the Old City, several other landmarks around Jerusalem lit up in blue and white in honor of Yom Ha'atzmaut.

Biden Admin. denies withholding Hamas leaders' locations from Israel

National Security Council official says US is assisting Israel in targeting Hamas leaders and 'not holding anything back' following reports administration is using the intelligence as leverage against Rafah oepration.

The Diaspora Torch:

'For all those that heard the call'

One of the torches this evening honored the many Jewish communities outside of Israel who rushed to help when the war broke out.

Herzog:

'We will continue to fight for what matters - a free and secure Israel'

President Isaac Herzog sends a message to the Jewish communities of the world of unity and mutual responsibility, and his hope for the swift return of the hostages and of peace.

Yom Hazikaron ceremony honors Gaza region rescue workers

The Home Front command today honored the units who worked to locate and retrieve the remains of those killed in the October 7th massacre.

Israel's proposal to the PA for the Rafah crossing

The Palestinian Authority rejected an Israeli proposal to manage the Rafah crossing, among other reasons, due to the imposition of conditions and the freezing of funds by Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Bereaved Sister:

'Cemetery protests were hurtful, I'm angry'

Edi Cohen-Meisels was shocked by the participants in the memorial ceremony in the cemetery who chose to shout at the government representative during the ceremony. "Shame on you."

Netanyahu:

Netanyahu: 'We'll fight until the end, until victory'

PM says at Independence Day ceremony that 'at the moment of truth, an entire nation mobilized,' calls this 'the generation of the victorious heroes.'

Columbia University:

Anti-Israel student tears up diploma during Columbia University commencement

Graduating students wear zip tie handcuffs during commencement to protest Columbia's decision to remove the anti-Israel tent encampment.

Watch:

Live: Torch-lighting ceremony for Israel's 76th Yom Ha'atzmaut

Viewers worldwide can join the traditional ceremony of lighting twelve torches, symbolizing the 12 tribes, as Israel turns 76.

Blinken:

Blinken: 'Shared values have forged a strong friendship'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has published a special congratulatory message for Israel's 76th Yom Ha'atzmaut in the shadow of the war.

Gaza region paramedic to light Yom Ha'atzmaut torch

MDA Paramedic Oshrit Hadad, 22 years old from Netivot, will represent the organization by lighting a torch on Yom Ha'atzmaut.

South Africa Chief Rabbi calls out Biden’s betrayal

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein denounces President Biden's decisions to reduce support for Israel.

5 soldiers, Defense Ministry employee seriously wounded in Gaza

2 soldiers seriously wounded in mortar barrage in Rafah Crossing area, 3 Defense Ministry employees wounded in Gaza, 1 seriously.

At anti-Israel protest:

NYPD Assistant Chief accidentally pepper sprays himself at anti-Israel protest

NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy accidentally pepper sprays himself in the face while attempting to arrest protesters blocking the Manhattan Bridge.

Report:

Report: Sinwar had secret police force to quash dissent in Gaza

Documents seized from Gaza reveal Hamas General Security Service, which made files on 10,000 Gazans believed to critical of Hamas, including journalists and protesters.

IDF Chief of Staff embraces bereaved families

After the memorial ceremony for casualties of war at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi walked through the cemetery and met with bereaved families.

Defense Min. to Blinken: Israel committed to the goals of the war

As Israel marks Memorial Day, Defense Min. Yoav Gallant stresses importance of Rafah operation in call with US Sec. of State Antony Blinken.

'We will fly over in reverence'

'We will fly over in reverence' | IAF aircraft salute the fallen

IAF jets and helicopters flew over Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem and the Pilots' Mount just outside the capital in a missing man formation to mark Memorial Day.

Pres. Herzog: We mourn the victims - and we will rebuild

President Isaac Herzog speaks at Memorial Day ceremony for victims of terror attacks, promises that 'together, and only together, we will rebuild anew.'

Palestinian Authority turns down offer to control Rafah Crossing

US pressured Israel to turn control of Rafah Crossing over to Palestinian Authority - but the PA rejected the proposal, report says.

Words of Longing

Words of Longing | Bereaved sisters remember fallen brothers

Two sisters, Tamar Elad-Appelbaum and Michal Greenglick, remember the brothers they lost and the powerful meaning of music in their lives.