Israel celebrates independence

No normal childhood:

Young boy who leads international advocacy to light torch

'It's a great honor,' says 10-year-old Ben Carasso, the spokeskid of Israel and youngest person ever to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony

Independence Day:

More than ten million citizens live in Israel

Israel's population has grown in the last decade at a rate of about 1.5% per year, which is among the highest in the Western world. 91% of Israelis report being satisfied with their lives.

Yarden Bibas:

'No independence while they are still there'

Released hostage Yarden Bibas posted a sobering message for the approaching Independence Day.

Prayer to bridge between Remembrance and Independence Days

Ahead of Israel's 77th Independence Day, Tzohar has published a prayer for the transition from Memorial Day to provide a source of inspiration and comfort amidst the ongoing war.

TikTok reimagines Israeli film for Independence Day

United King Films and TikTok Israel have come together to create an innovative vertical version of a classic Israeli comedy.

Omri Casspi to light torch on Independence Day

Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the NBA and an active advocate for Israel since his retirement, has been selected to light a torch at the Independence Day ceremony.

Dana International to light torch at Independence Day ceremony

Transgender Eurovision champion's participation in the official state Independence Day opening ceremony met with opposition on both the right and left.

Independence Day

3 Mossad agents who led Hezbollah pager op to light torch

Minister Miri Regev announced today to 3 Mossad agents who led the pager operation in Lebanon that they had been selected to light a joint torch at the main ceremony on Mount Herzl on the upcoming Independence Day.

Avdija on torch lighting:

'A privilege that symbolizes my connection to the nation'

Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija reacts to the decision to choose him to light an Independence Day torch. 'I try every day to represent Israel with honor.'

War hero Elisha Medan to light Independence Day torch

Elisha Medan, who lost both his legs in battle in Gaza, will light a torch at the state opening ceremony on Independence Day.

Independence Day ceremony

Rabbi whose two sons fell in 10.7 battles to light torch

On October 7th, 2023, Rabbi Shmuel Slotki presided over the IDF team that worked to search for bodies in southern Israel. At the same time, his sons, Yishay and Noam, went to fight the terrorists and lost their lives doing so.

Independence Day

Hamas captivity survivor Eli Sharabi to light torch

Minister Miri Regev has announced that Eli Sharabi, who survived over a year in Hamas captivity and demonstrated extraordinary leadership to assist his fellow hostages, was selected to light an Independence Day torch.

Natasha Hausdorff chosen to light torch on Independence Day

Minister Miri Regev has announced that British lawyer Natasha Hausdorff, known for her advocacy for Israel internationally, will be honored with a torch lighting on Mt. Herzl.

Emily responds:

I have been granted the privilege, Am Israel Chai!

Captivity survivor Emily Damari responds to the announcement that she will light a torch at the Independence Day opening ceremony.

Ben Shapiro to light Independence Day torch

Minister Miri Regev has announced that Ben Shapiro, known for his advocacy for Israel, will be honored with a torch lighting on Mt. Herzl.

Independence Day:

Bereaved father and released hostage to light torch

Released hostage Emily Damari and Oren Smadja, who lost his son in Gaza, will jointly light a torch on Independence Day.

2nd year in a row:

Independence Day flyby and sailby canceled due to war

The annual Israeli Air Force flyby and Navy sailby will not take place this year due to the war. The Memorial Day flyby will take place as usual.

Herzog at July 4th event:

'Clarity and vision is the US's blessing to the world'

President Isaac Herzog addressed the annual US Independence Day Reception at the Ambassador's house and thanked the US for its support and assistance.

Christian group:

Israeli Independence Day celebrated with Solidarity “Walk-In”

The celebrations culminated in a solidarity “walk-in” at UCLA in partnership with Students Supporting Israel after a UCLA Israel celebration.

Gush Etzion:

Arabs uprooted an orchard; the residents planted anew

Arabs from Za'atara uprooted an orchard near the settlement of Nokdim. The locals replanted there on Yom Ha'atzmaut with Israeli flags and a singing of Hatikvah.

Pro-Israel rally in Times Square nets 700-1000 attendees

At a Times Square rally, over 700 friends of Israel - some reports said as many as 1000 - young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish, enthusiastically demonstrated their love and support for Israel and all her people.

Toronto Mayor:

'Raising Israeli flag at city hall ceremony is divisive'

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow decides to skip city hall ceremony marking Israel’s Independence Day, says event where the Israeli flag is raised is currently "divisive" due to the war in Gaza.

Binyamin region Governor:

'We will expand Judea and Samaria by hundreds of thousands'

Israel Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Region and chairman of the Yesha Council, supports settlement in the Gaza Strip but stresses: First of all - we must eradicate the enemy.

IDU holds special exhibition for Gush Etzion on Yom Ha'atzmaut

Israel Dog Unit joins a display of other security forces and demonstrated their working dogs' various capabilities for the crowd.

Israel Independence Day "You shall rejoice in your holiday"

I feel it is an afront for us not to celebrate.

President Herzog:

Pres. Herzog hosts ambassadors on Israel’s 76th Independence Day

President Herzog spoke to ambassadors from around the world on Israel's 76th Independence Day: 'Hamas’s brutal attack was not just trying to weaken the State of Israel. It was trying to weaken the pillars of free, open, democratic societies.'

PM visits wounded soldiers at Sheba Hospital

On Israel's 76th Independence Day, PM Netanyahu visits soldiers wounded during war, hears their desire for Israel to achieve complete victory.

In central Bnei Brak:

Israeli flag flown on roof of Ponevezh Yeshiva

As per the instructions of Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, legendary Ponevezh Yeshiva dean, the Israeli flag was hung early on Independence Day morning and will remain there until the afternoon.

Int'l 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:

'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.

After losing 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:

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.'

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:

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:

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.'

Knesset Speaker:

The generation of the 2023/4 war has proven its true strength

Speaker Amir Ohana, to 120 outstanding female and male soldiers: ‘This is a generation that has not fallen short of any generation that came before it.’

Canada:

Ottawa cancels Yom Ha'atzmaut ceremony, then backtracks

After initially cancelling Israeli flag raising at city hall due to security reasons, Ottawa's Mayor says the matter is being revisited.

12 times more than in 1948:

Ahead of Independence Day: 9.9 million people living in Israel

Since last Independence day, Israel's population has grown by 189,000 people; by next Independence Day, Israel's population is expected to reach over 10 million.

Religious Zionist rabbis:

'Keep rejoicing on Independence Day'

Leading Zionist rabbis are calling on the public to continue rejoicing and thanking G-d on Israeli Independence Day, despite the hardships.

Masada Unit commander to light security forces' bonfire this year

Minister Miri Regev has decided that the commander of the Israel Prison Service Masada Unit will represent the security forces this year at the Independence Day firelighting ceremony.

Israel is Unique among Nations. Here is another reason why

A quick internet search shows that no other country connects (except perhaps Holland) their Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) and Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut) as Israel does.

Regev decides:

Torch lighting ceremony will be pre-recorded

The Minister of Transportation, who is in charge of the torch lighting ceremony at the conclusion of Memorial Day, decided it will take place without an audience and will be recorded in advance.

Israeli singer turns down offer to light Independence Day torch

Popular Israeli singer, Idan Amedi, posted on his Instagram page that he prefers to light a torch in the future for words of a song that he will write and not for his heroism: "Unfortunately, I will not be able to accept the honor this year."

Minister announces:

No fireworks at Independence Day celebrations

Min. Miri Regev says there will be no fireworks at government Independence Day events, calls on local authorities to follow suit.

What will be the KKL – JNF 76th Independence Day symbol?

For the first time, Israeli students from across the country were invited to compete to design the JNF's new symbol for next year.

VP Harris:

'Independent judiciary at the bedrock of US-Israel relationship'

Vice President Harris speaks at Israeli Embassy's Independence Day reception: We will continue to work towards a two-state solution.

Independence Day crash:

Driver trasferred from hospital to detention

Woman accused of driving under the influence in crash which left baby dead to face hearing on further extension of her detention.

Parashat Emor: Between independence and liberating Jerusalem

The Haftarah for Emor gives us hope for the future, the future which has already begun in the last two generations.

75th anniversary:

JNF, Keren Kayemet plant 75 trees in honor of Independence Day

The trees were planted as a symbol of growth, development, and the deep connection with the land of Israel at a ceremony held Wednesday.

Independence Day tragedy:

Remand of driver from accident which killed toddler extended

Court extends detention of driver accused of driving under the influence

Man tears mezuzahs off dozens of homes on Independence Day

Suspect arrested on suspicion of removing mezuzahs from residential homes in Jerusalem.

Police called on driver right before Independence Day crash

Another driver contacts the police after witnessing erratic driving of driver involved in crash in which 1-year-old was killed.

The Daily Portion: The greatest story ever told

We are simply too preoccupied with our daily troubles to do a zoom out for a brief moment in order to see the process that is at work.

Baby killed in Independence Day car crash laid to rest

10-month-old boy from Gush Etzion, Ma'ayan David Domnovitch, laid to rest in Kfar Etzion cemetery, south of Jerusalem.