Independence Day of the State of Israel, 25 April
Israel’ s independence was declared on May 14, 1948 - the day when David ben Gurion officially read the Proclamation of the Establishment of the State of Israel. The formation of Israel also meant that the British rule in the country had ended and the citizens were now free. With this, Independence Day was declared a ‘state holiday’ and is celebrated on the 5th of Iyar.
The holiday is celebrated with fireworks and military parades, and the President of Israel usually hosts a reception for outstanding soldiers. A major State Ceremony also takes place on the eve of Independence Day. The ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, includes performances, speeches, and the ceremonial lighting of twelve torches. The torches serve a historic purpose and symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel.
This day is observed with a bang every year because the people of Israel suffered tremendously before they settled back into a land of their own. They were exiled from their homeland for 2,000 years and faced numerous religious persecutions, including the holocaust in Germany, which killed nearly a third of the world’s Jews, hence Isreal’s Chief Rabbinate’ s recommendation, in 1950, that the occasion is given the status of an official Jewish holiday. He also insisted that Hallel - a Jewish prayer - be performed on the day. In 1973, Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren added to the custom by introducing a citation of blessings over Hallel.
Source:
Israel Independence Day-April 25, 2023. (2023). https://nationaltoday.com/israel-independence-day/
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