On Tuesday, Israel celebrated its Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers. Then, at sundown, celebrations began for Israel's Independence Day. The 5th of Iyyar (April 29 this year) marks the 61st anniversary of State of Israel and another year of Israel's successful survival in a hostile world.
Tuesday was a sober day in Israel as its people remembered the 22,570 men and women who have died for Israel since 1860. That was the year Jews began to leave the safety of Jerusalem to build new Jewish neighborhoods. At 8:00pm Monday night, a one-minute siren sounded in communities all across Israel. Vehicles stopped, and Israelis rose to their feet to remember their fallen countrymen. Again the sirens sounded on Tuesday morning at 11:00am. Again everybody stopped what they were doing and stood in honor of the fallen for two minutes. Forty-three military ceremonies around the country began immediately after the sirens quieted, and other ceremonies were held to honor the Victims of Terror as well as foreign volunteers from around the world who came to fight on Israel's behalf during the War of Independence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in honor of the day. "Today I say to all of you, bereaved families and citizens of Israel, we will never abandon our fate again," he promised. "We will never lose the strength to defend ourselves. Our hands are stretched out for peace, but our enemies should make no mistake: We will never compromise on our security."
Then, at sundown Remembrance Day ended and Israel's Independence Day festivities began. The late Rabbi Shlomo Goren, the first Chief Rabbi of the IDF and the man who set the date for Remembrance Day, explained the transition between the two days in this way:
"We view the warriors who fall in battle as those who sprout forth life. The life of a nation grew out of this blood... This day must be more than mourning: We must remember, we must grieve, but it must [also] be a day of majesty and vision."
To kick off Independence Day celebrations, 12 torches were lit at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem by prominent Tel Aviv officials. Tel Aviv was honored at the ceremony because it is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Shortly after the torch lighting, the real party began. Stage shows and concerts kicked off in the evening, and the celebration will continue throughout Wednesday. The army will hold air and sea displays, and a ceremony for outstanding soldiers will be held. The National Bible Quiz will take place in Jerusalem.
Israel has had a rough 61 years, from its War of Independence in 1948, to battles for its existence in 1967 and 1973, and through the constant threat of terror acts within its borders. Israel's security forces are some of the best trained in the world. At one time, every one of Israel's near neighbors was its enemy. It faced hostile armies on all borders. Now, Israel is at peace with Egypt and Jordan and maintains a relatively stable non-war with Syria. It has serious enemies in the international community and among terror groups within its territories, but it also has some very strong friends. Even then, with God's help, Israel can take care of itself.
Israel's population has grown in the past 61 years. There are 7,411,000 Israelis on this year's Independence Day, up from just 806,000 when the nation was established. About 75.5 percent of Israelis are Jews and 20.2 are Arabs. About 154,000 babies were born in Israel during the last year, and more than 12,000 immigrants have come to live in country.
Israel is the land of the Bible, and Jerusalem is the City of David, the city in which the Messiah will take His throne. As Israel celebrates another year of its existence, it also brings us one year closer to that day when the Son of David will begin his earthly rule, and the wolf will lay down in peace with the lamb. There will be plenty of false cries of "peace" before that day, followed by great turmoil. Still, that day will come, and the Messiah will reign, praise the Lord.
Happy Birthday, Israel.
