Yom haAtz’ma’ut - Israel's Independence Day
- Gene Keener
- Apr 30
- 1 min read
Yom haAtz’ma’ut
Israel's Independence Day
5 Iyar (May 14, 1948).
Following WWI, Palestine was under the British Mandate, through the League of Nations.
On November 29, 1947, the United Nations recommended partitioning Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. This was accepted by the Jews and rejected by the Arabs.
The British Mandate was scheduled to end on midnight, May 14, 1948.
Earlier that day (4pm), David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the creation of the State of Israel, becoming her first Prime Minister.
15 minutes later, the United States formally recognized the State of Israel. The Soviet Union shortly followed suit.
Since that time there have been six major wars for survival against extreme odds and conditions.
Israel Independence Day actually starts the day before with Yom HaZikaron, Remembrance Day on 4 Iyar. Like our Memorial Day, it recalls the sacrifice of those who were killed, maimed, or wounded to create and sustain the State of Israel.
On the eve of Remembrance Day, a siren is sounded and a moment of standing silence is observed.
A second siren is sounded in the morning.
There are ceremonies in the schools for fallen graduates and teachers, as well as at military cemeteries.
As the sun sets, the mood changes from sadness to joy, perhaps as a fulfillment of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 31.1-13.
(Download the Yom haAtzmaut pdf above to continue reading).
Comments