Independence Day (Israel)

Yom Ha'atzmaut Hebrew: יום העצמאות
An air display in Tel Aviv on the 61st Israeli Independence Day, 2009
Observed by	Israelis
Celebrations	Displaying the flag of Israel and other national symbols, family meetings, fireworks, barbecues, picnics, concerts
Observances	Mount Herzl ceremony, Ceremonial lighting of the twelve torches, International Bible Contest, Israel Prize ceremony.
Date	5 Iyar
2024 date
Related to	Yom Hazikaron

Yom Ha'atzmaut commemorates Israel's declaration of Independence in 1948. It is celebrated on 5 Iyar according to the Hebrew calender. Yom Ha'atzmaut is preceded by Yom Hazikaron, the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day.

History

Yom Ha'atzmaut centers around the declaration of the state of Israel by The Jewish Leadership led by future Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, on 14 May 1948. This was declared 8 hours before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine, which was due to finish on the 15th May 1948.

The Israeli declaration was based on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 regarding the Partition Plan for Palestine, adopted on 29 November 1947. The new state was quickly recognised by the Soviet Union, the United States, and many other countries, but not by the surrounding Arab states, who declared war.

Yom Ha'atzma'ut observances

Official events

Most of the official events take place in Israel's capital city Jerusalem, and are broadcast live on television.

Yom Ha'atzmaut eve

An official ceremony is held every year on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on the evening of Yom Ha'atzmaut. The ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament), artistic performances, a Flag of Israel, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David and the ceremonial lighting of twelve torches, one for each of the Tribes of Israel). Every year a dozen Israeli citizens, who made a significant social contribution in a selected area, are invited to light the torches. Many cities hold outdoor performances in cities' squares featuring leading Israeli singers and fireworks displays. Street around the squares are closed to cars, allowing people to sing and dance in the streets.

Yom Ha'atzmaut day

International Bible Contest, 1985

• Reception of the President of Israel for honoring excellence in 120 IDF soldiers. The event takes place in the President's official residence in Jerusalem.
• International Bible Contest in Jerusalem
• Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem.
• Israel Defense Forces opens some of its bases to the public.
• Israel Defense Forces parade (1948- 1973)
• Hebrew Song Contest (1960-1980)

Non-official celebrations

Israeli families, regardless of observance or affiliation, celebrate with picnics and barbecues (known in Israeli slang as a mangal – from the Arabic word منقل meaning "stove"). Balconies are decorated with Israeli flags, and small flags are attached to car windows. Some leave the flags hoisted until after Yom Yerushalayim. Israeli Television channels air the official events live, and classic Israeli movies and skits are shown.

Religious observances

• The Chief Rabbinate along with many other religious authorities have declared that Yom Ha'atzmaut is one of the Jewish holidays in which Hallel should be said.
• The Religious Zionist movement has created a liturgy for the holiday, which sometimes includes the recitation of some psalms and the reading of a portion of the Prophets (Haftarah) on the holiday morning. Segments of the Religious Zionist camp, has promoted the inclusion of a version of Al Hanisim (for the Miracles...). This segment includes Rav David Bar Hayim of the Hardal camp who heads Machon Shilo Institute and The Temple Institute. The Reform Movement has also suggested such an addition.
• Other changes to the daily prayers include reciting Hallel, saying the expanded Pesukei D'Zimrah of Shabbat (the same practice that is observed almost universally on Hoshanah Rabbah), and/or blowing the Shofar. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, questioned the Halachic imperative in canonizing these changes (it is not clear what his personal practice was - some of his student claim that he recited Hallel and some claim that he remained silent while the congregation recited Hallel).
• The Conservative Movement instituted the reading of a Torah portion for the day as well as the inclusion of a version of Al Hanisim (for the Miracles...), which is commonly recited on Hanukkah and Purim. Some Conservative synagogues also read the haftarah Isaiah 10:32–12:6, which is also read on the last day of Pesach.
• The Reform Movement suggests the inclusion of Ya'leh V'yavo. An addition to the Amidah that is also included on Rosh Chodesh (the New Month), Shalosh Regalim (the Pilgrimage Festivals), Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur.
• A few Hasidim and Haredim recite Hallel while many others make no changes in their daily prayers.

Timing

Declaration of the State of Israel

Yom Ha'atzmaut is nominally celebrated on the 5th day of Iyar (ה' באייר) in the Hebrew calendar, the anniversary of the day in which Israel independence was proclaimed, when David Ben Gurion publicly read the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The corresponding Gregorian date was May 14, 1948.

If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, the celebrations are moved up to the preceding Thursday. This rule has been effective since 1951.

If the 5th of Iyar is on a Monday, the festival is postponed to Tuesday. This rule has been effective since 2004, in order to avoid having Yom Hazikaron or Yom Ha'atzmaut on (or following) a Shabbat.

Since the only other day of the week that the 5th of Iyar can fall on is a Wednesday, it is actually now relatively rare for the festival to be observed on the 5th Iyar itself.

Gregorian dates for Yom Ha'atzmaut:

• May 10, 2011 (Tuesday, postponed one day to Iyar 6)
• April 26, 2012 (Thursday, advanced one day to Iyar 4)
• April 16, 2013 (Tuesday, postponed one day to Iyar 6)

Anti-Israel and anti-Zionist events

Some Arab citizens of Israel celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut but others regard it as a tragic day in their history and call it al-Nakba ("the catastrophe"). The Druze have celebrated Israel's independence from the start. Independence Day has also been celebrated by the Bedouins and the Circassians of Israel. [1]

Some religious anti-Zionist Jews display a black flag and wear ashes and sackcloth as a sign of mourning. Members of the Satmar, Toldos Aaron, Toldos Avraham Yitzchak,and Munkatch sects fast to atone for what they view as the sin of having created the Jewish state before the coming of the Messiah. Many fast on this day and some recite prayers for fast days.

See also

• Jewish holiday

External links

• Israeli knesset page on yom ha'aztmaut