Torchlighting Ceremony

Physical altercation

Independence Day ceremony plagued by high-level disputes

A seating dispute involving Eyal Zamir and David Barnea sparked security tensions, as Itamar Ben-Gvir exited the event due to his own seating issue.

After ceremony mix-up

TikTok figure mistaken for Chief Rabbi at Independence event

A TikTok personality dressed as the Chief Rabbi sparked confusion at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony, even prompting Rabbinate to consider legal action.

Talik Gvili lights a torch: Pride is stronger than sorrow

Talik Gvili lights a torch on Independence Day in memory of her son Ran, who fell in battle at Kibbutz Alumim and kidnapped to Gaza, delivering a powerful message of heroism, unity, and victory.

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Milei steals the show at torch-lighting ceremony rehearsal

Argentine President Javier Milei arrived, along with Prime Minister Netanyahu, for the dress rehearsal for the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony and performed a song in Spanish.

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Final rehearsals of flag-bearers for torch-lighting ceremony

About 125 flag-bearers from across the IDF will march on the Mount Herzl plaza in formations symbolizing technological innovation.

Sara Netanyahu declines offer to light Independence Day torch

The Prime Minister's wife turned down the opportunity to partake in the Independence Day ceremony, saying that the honor belongs to the soldiers of the IDF.

Regev: Sara Netanyahu is worthy of lighting a torch

The minister responsible for Independence Day torchlighting ceremony heard in a closed conversation expressing support for honoring the Prime Minister’s wife: "She safeguards the resilience of the state."

Javier Milei to light torch on Mt. Herzl?

Transportation Minister Miri Regev intends to propose to Argentine President Javier Milei to light a torch on Israel's Independence Day.

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Mossad agents light Independence Day torch

Three of the key agents in the Hezbollah pager operation were honored with lighting a torch for Independence Day. The agents identified themselves only by initials and remained masked throughout the ceremony.

Natasha Hausdorff:

'A torch for everyone who fights for Israel's right to exist'

Natasha Hausdorff, a prominent member of UK Lawyers For Israel, was honored with a torch lighting for Independence Day.

Ben Shapiro at ceremony:

'We stand united against enemies of Western civilization'

Ben Shapiro lit a torch for Independence Day and dedicated it 'as a Jew and an American, to Israel, a nation of champions and dreamers.'

Independence Day:

Haredi activist fights tears during torch lighting ceremony

Shai Graucher, a haredi activist who organized large charity drives for soldiers and those affected by the war, delivered an emotional declaration calling to help those impacted by the war - widows, orphans, and the survivors of captivity.

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Captivity survivor Agam Berger plays violin alongside Dudu Fisher

Captivity survivor Agam Berger plays an ancient violin and accompanies Dudu Fisher during the broadcast of the torchlighting ceremony marking the start of Independence Day celebrations.

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Independence Day opening torchlighting ceremony

The traditional torch-lighting ceremony is being held on Mount Herzl to mark the opening of the celebrations for the State of Israel's 77th Independence Day.

Due to inclement weather:

State Independence Day ceremony cancelled

Due to heavy winds, Minister Miri Regev announced that the state opening ceremony for Israel's Independence Day would be cancelled and instead the general rehearsal that was filmed this week will be broadcast.

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

Netanyahu mentions number of hostages, Sarah whispers ' fewer'

PM's wife whispers 'fewer' after Netanyahu notes 24 hostages still alive, during meeting with Independence Day torchbearers.

Heroes without capes

Raising the torch for Israel’s symbols of bravery and hope, Op-ed.

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.

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.

Bridges of Hope:

Official logo unveiled for Israel’s 77th Independence Day

'Logo is a declaration that despite our differences and pain, a profound unity binds us together,' Independence Day organizer Minister Miri Regev says.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

This is why a leading religious figure refused to light a torch

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi turned down offer to light Independence Day torch - here's why.

Canadian-Israeli businessman:

'Israel is not just for Israelis, it belongs to all of us'

Sylvan Adams says he is moved to represent the diaspora at Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony.

Regev to try to persuade Lapid to attend torchlighting ceremony

The opposition leader decided not to attend the traditional ceremony, calling it a "government propaganda broadcast".

17-year-old torch-lighter:

'Agriculture is not a private business. It is a national matter'

Reut Amichai will be the youngest of the ceremonial torch lighters at this year's Israeli Independence Day opening ceremony.

Netanyahu to torchlighters:

'I simply want to thank you'

Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife Sara meet the torchlighters for the State of Israel's 75th Independence Day.

Moving:

Holocaust survivor surprises his granddaughter on Mount Herzl

Holocaust survivor Yaakov Meir Dimenstein visits his granddaughter, who will be flag bearer at the Independence Day torch lighting ceremony.

Independence Day:

Canadian-born founder of Shalva to light torch

Canadian immigrant Kalman Samuels, founder of group aiding the disabled, to light torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony.

Special Forces commander to be honored with torch-lighting

Commander H.A. chosen on own merits and also to represent all of Israel's security forces.

'Our resurrection is the embodiment of historic justice'

Knesset Speaker MK Yariv Levin opens Independence Day Torch Lighting ceremony.

Muslim Arab nurse to light Independence Day torch

Maheer Ibrahim, Muslim nurse who said 'Shema' with coronavirus patient, offered honor of lighting Independence Day torch.

Fathers' Rights organization comes out against Shira Iskov

Rights organization demands woman who survived near-murder not light Independence Day torch, since she made no exceptional contribution.

Critically-wounded soldier who returned to service to bear torch

Col. Shai Siman Tov to bear torch as IDF rep during ceremony for Israel's 71st Independence Day.

Culture Minister and Knesset Speaker meet for reconciliation

Regev and Edelstein meet after protracted break between them since torch-lighting ceremony last Independence Day.

Netanyahu and Edelstein asked to limit speeches

Torchlighting ceremony general rehearsal reveals it to be too long. 'Fear extended ceremony might harm 70th anniversary events.'

Court rejects Haaretz reporter's petition against Netanyahu

Supreme Court rules ministerial committee has right to allow PM to light torch during Independence Day ceremony.