Israel marked its annual memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorist attacks at sundown on Tuesday, a day before the country’s 67th Independence Day.
As part of national commemorations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein participated in a ceremony at Yad LaBanim, the association for families of fallen soldiers, in Jerusalem.
“I know your pain and I feel your longing. Thirty-nine years after my brother fell, the grief has not subsided,” Netanyahu told the bereaved Israeli families in attendance, referencing his brother Yonatan, who was killed during the Entebbe hostage operation in 1976.
“The grief did not subside in my parents-may they rest in peace-until their final day,” said Netanyahu, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Israel has lost 23,320 soldiers and victims of terror since its founding, including 116 since last year’s Yom Hazikaron. Sixty-seven soldiers were killed during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza last summer, and 35 additional soldiers died over the past year due to injuries, the Israeli Defense Ministry said. In addition to various commemoration ceremonies, a country-wide siren sounded at 8 p.m. Israel time calling for a moment of silence. Another siren is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday.
JNS.ORG
{Matzav.com Israel}
A new Chareidi initiative was launched for Yom HaZikaron, Israels Memorial Day, called Sheket, Zochrim or Be Silent, We are Remembering.
The initiative was launched by Rabbi Zeev Rothman, as an attempt to connect the two minutes of silence with an older Jewish tradition of saying Tehillim (Psalms) and prayers for the deceased.
His idea united both the secular and religious together during this moment of silence as we all remember Israels fallen.
A silent prayer during the moment of silence.
The flyers were handed out in shopping centers, stores and schools and targeted everyone from Chareidim to secular. Over 50,000 flyers were printed and distributed
Would it hurt to write Yom Haatzmaut instead of Independence Day ?