Yom Haatzmaut: Israeli Independence Day. May 8-9, 2019

6th May 2019 by Yonete Gottfried

Yom Haatzmaut is Israeli Independence Day, a day of great celebration held every year in late April or early May – on the day (in the Hebrew calendar) which, in 1948, Israel declared its independence. Across Israel, events and celebrations take place to mark Independence – both on a national scale and on a more local scale, with almost every city, town, and village, having some sort of celebration. In 2019, Yom Haatzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) falls from sundown on May 8, to sundown on May 9.

Yom Haatzmaut takes place on the eve of Yom Haatzmaut at Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Ceremony in Jerusalem. This event marks the end of Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s memorial day, which falls immediately before), and the beginning of the celebration for Yom Haatzmaut. The ceremony involves performances, speeches, and a ceremonial lighting of twelve torches which symbolizes the Twelve Tribes of Israel by twelve citizens who have made a great impact on the country. At the same time, towns and cities across the country have parties and firework displays.

The following day, parades and events take place across Israel including military fly-pasts (see the schedule for the Independence Day Fly Over), parades, a famous International Bible Competition, and the ceremony for the Israel Prize which is Israel’s highest award and honor. The Israel Prize is given each year to about 10-15 people in the presence of the presence of the President, Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the Supreme Court president.

Yom Haatzmaut is a real family day, and Israelis flock to Israel’s National Parks, hiking trails, and beauty spots, for barbecues and picnics.

For a fantastic list of things to do on Yom Haazmaut,including free entry to 71 Heritage sites, click here to see the list compiled by Love Love Israel.

What’s happening for Yom Haazmaut 70? – Israel Celebrates 70 years!

16th April 2018 by Yonete Gottfried

ISRAEL’S 70TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

We posted about what is going on in Netanya for Yom Haazmaut 70, but with Independence Day festivities around the country you have plenty of options to pick from, so click here for up to date information with 2018 flyover (Matas) times, free Heritage sites and museums, great ideas, beaches, shows and more!

Have a great one!!!

What an amazing country we have!!

Watch the Flyover – Matas 2018!

16th April 2018 by Yonete Gottfried

The full list is now available here, at the IAF website!

From cellphones only, you can access the IAF ‘Matas’ Flyover times 2018 and see the map to watch it in real time – you can even find a place, click on the arrow on the left to see exactly which planes will come by and when! Awesome!! Click here for the Website (cellphone compatible only)

Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut 2018

16th April 2018 by judy

Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Official Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, the day which publicly remembers the fallen in all the wars which Israel has had to fight during the 70 years since Independence was granted in 1948 – it commences at nightfall on Tuesday evening 17th April 2018. Shops will close earlier than usual. Places of entertainment will not be open.

Yom Hazikaron begins at sundown (8.00pm) when a siren is sounded across the country for one minute. Everybody stops what they are doing, including cars driving on the highway, and observes the silence to show their respect and remember the fallen. That evening, the official State Ceremony to mark the start of Yom Hazikaron takes place at the Western Wall (the Kotel) in Jerusalem. Unlike in many other countries, Israel’s wars have taken place at home and being a small country, almost everybody knows somebody who died in the country’s wars making Yom Hazikaron an incredibly personal time of remembrance.

On Wednesday 18th April, 2018 sirens will sound at 11.00 am throughout the country for a 2 minute silence – and the country again comes to a standstill – if this is your first time here on such a day, be prepared for an incredible sight, where transport and people literally ‘stop in their tracks’ to observe the silence.

That evening, between 7:00pm and 8.00pm, another state ceremony takes place, this one at Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Military Ceremony. This ceremony marks the end of Yom Hazikaron, and the beginning of Yom Haaztmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, a day which contrasts dramatically to what preceded it and a strong reminder of the price Israel has paid, and continues to pay for her independence.

The conclusion of Yom HaZikaron sees a reversal and the country explodes into celebrations for this very special Yom Ha’atzmaut – the 70th Anniversary of the Foundation of the State.

Netanya celebrates 70 years of Israel’s Independence

Wednesday, April 18

New Independence Square 8:00 p.m.

Emcee and song: Shai Hambar Yehuda Elias Roni Dalumi Shlomi Shabat

The youth of Netanya salute the city and the state | Havatselot Netanya Dance Troupe

East stage with screens

7:00 p.m. Festive prayer

Yitzchak Meir and the Ve’nismacha band play Jewish music

West stage

Local bands

11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Public dancing with Ronen Oved

Nofiki Shai and Roy

Agam Hahoref Park 9:00 p.m. Broadcast live on

Skazi Hatikva 6 Moshe Peretz

Aviados Stars from Schuna Nathan Goshen

Free shuttles to and from Agam Hahoref stage will operate from 9:00 p.m. through the end of the event

From the city center (Taipei restaurant), from the northern part of the city: (Weizman corner of Sokolov), from the eastern part of the city (University Square) and from the southern part of the city (Ha’nevi’im corner of Ben Zvi)

Gan Ovadia – Neot Ganim 8:30 p.m.

Shai and Roy

Sagiv Cohen and Daklon

Local bands

Amphi Kanion Ir Yamim 8:00 p.m.

Muli and Tzumi

Roy Boy

Local bands

Sportek Netanya East 8:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m. Jewish music stage

Stars from Shchuna

Dudu Tassa

Local bands

Blue and White Nite

Israel’s beach party

DJ Itay Galo

DJ Tomer Maizner

DJ Adi Noy

Café Shahor Hazak

Entrance is free, age 18+, advance registration required www.israelparty70.co.il

Thursday, April 19

City parks – Stilt walkers, comic photo team, magnet photographer and more will greet you from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the areas where barbecuing is allowed.

Netanya Museum – Interactive quiz for the entire family and guided tours, every hour on the hour from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Beit Habe’er – Independence Day happening for the entire family and tours of the permanent exhibitions from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Friday, April 20

5 Iyar: Israel dances and welcomes the Sabbath

Public dancing, dance troupes, choirs, multimedia clips on the screens in the square

New Independence Square (beneath the screens) 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Sport

For details of all the events in and around the city, please click here http://www.netanya.muni.il/eng/

Celebrate 70 years of the State of Israel here in Israel

14th March 2018 by Yonete Gottfried

The 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, which will take place in April, will last for 70 hours and will include a variety of mass events, including a nationwide fireworks show, beach parties, a host of shows and marches. The festivities will begin with the torch-lighting ceremony on the eve of Independence Day on Wednesday, April 18, and will last until Friday – at a mass Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony.

Book your accommodation for the celebrations here at www.IPCvacationrentals.com

Airforce flyover today – Yom Haazmaut

12th May 2016 by Yonete Gottfried

One of the most well-known traditions of Yom Haatzmaut is the Air Force flyover. The all-day event over the entire country is an inspiring and very understated statement that Israel is strong and here to stay, against all odds.

According to the schedule below they will be flying over Netanya between 12:14 and 12:29 today.

Israel celebrates 68 years of Independence today

12th May 2016 by Yonete Gottfried

68 reasons to celebrate Israel: diversity, hi-tech, fun, delicious snacks and much more.

Netanya Celebrates Israel’s 68th Year of Independence

6th May 2016 by Yonete Gottfried

Netanya Celebrates Israel’s 68th Year of Independence

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 – Entrance is free. Everyone’s invited!

Winter Lake Park (Hashlulit) 9:00 p.m.
Yual Hamebulbal – Eliad Nachum – Liran Danino – Rotem Cohen – DJ TeamWorks

The new Independence Square 8:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Square Screen Stage
Festive prayer service
Srugim band, playing Jewish music
Kids star Mikki
Shiri Maimon and Shimon Buskila
Performance of Children’s songs with Yotem and Mikka / Enjoya Theater
Rhythmic dance performance, Silver Show
Photos with National Heroes
Israeli dancing into the night with Yaron Carmel (in the Screen Stage area)
Havatzalot Netanya Dance Company
Kiryat Hasharon Sportek 8:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m. Jewish music stage
Festive prayer service, music and dancing
Yuval Hamebulbal, Shai and Roey
Moshe Lahav , The Big Tish
Hosts Yehuda Elias

Ir Yamim Mall, 8:00 p.m.

Shai and Roey
Eliran the Clown
Local bands

Gan Ovadia – Neot Ganim, 8:00 p.m.
Nofiko
Kids star
The Sinwanis
Baladi band
Mediterranean music
* Free shuttle service to Winter Lake (Hashlulit) Stage and back will run from 9:30 p.m. to the end of the event – from the City Center (Taipei Restaurant).

From the north end of the city (Weizmann corner of Sheshet Hayamim and from the east end of the city (University Square)
* Free shuttle service from the Ir Yamim Stage and Independence Square Stage (Taipei restaurant) will run at 7:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m. – from Ramat Yadin-Dora (Commercial Center).

From Neot Shaked (Commercial Center), Agamim (Kikar Hashoter) and Galei Yam (Media-Tech)
* Shuttle service back from Independence Square Stage (Teipei Restaurant) to the neighborhoods will leave at 10:30 p.m. and at the end of the events, shuttle service back from the Ir Yamim Stage to the neighborhoods will leave at the end of the event

Yom Haazmaut – Independence Day 2015, Netanya

22nd April 2015 by Yonete Gottfried

Netanya celebrates Israel’s 67th year of independence and presents: The best stage in the country

Winter Lake Park (Hashlulit)
10:00 p.m.
Berry Sakharof
Muki
Beit Habubot
d.j yahel

The new Independence Square
8:00 p.m.
Gidi Gov
Roni Dalumi
Children’s star, Shalechet with Nicki Goldstein
Pyromania – a performance with special effects from fire and multimedia
Taking Photos with Srulik the Sabra against Israeli Landscapes
Greetings from the children of Netanya on the screens in the square
Street performers in blue and white
Local bands

Rollerskating area (Shaked Promenade) 7:00 p.m.
Jewish music stage
Festive prayer service
Dancing with Nurit Greenfield

Yahalom Sportech, Kiryat Hasharon 8:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Jewish music stage: Festive prayer service
Moshe Datz and Hakivsa Shoshana
Gary Hamburgary, star of HaPijamot
Shay Hamber, local bands
Dancing with Yossi Nakave

Ir Yamim Mall, 8:00 p.m.
Hipazon and Zehiron
Yedidiah Vital, star of HaShminiya
Local bands

Gan Ovadia – Neot Ganim, 8:00 p.m.
Eliran the Clown
Adi the Magician
Kobi Reuven
Local bands

Free of charge – everybody’s invited.

*Free shuttle service to and from Winter Lake Park (Hashlulit) will be offered from 9:30 p.m. and through the end of the event: From the City Center (Teipei Restaurant), from the northern part of the city (corner of Weizmann and Sheshet Hayamim), and from the east side of Netanya (University Square)

* Free shuttle service to the Ir Yamim stage and Independence Square stage (Teipei Restaurant) will be offered at 7:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m. – from Ramat Yadin-Dora (commercial center), Neot Shaked (commercial center), Agamim (Kikar Hashoter) and Galei Yam (Meditek)

*Shuttle service back from Independence Square (Teipei Restaurant) to the neighborhoods will leave at 10:30 p.m. and at the end of the events, shuttle service back from the Ir Yamim stage to the neighborhoods will leave at the end of the event

Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) 2015

18th April 2015 by Yonete Gottfried

Yom Hazikaron is the national remembrance day observed in Israel. National memorial services are held in the presence of Israel’s top leadership and military personnel. The day opens with a siren the preceding evening, Tuesday 21st April, 2015 at 20:00 (8:00 pm), given that in the Hebrew calendar system, a day begins at sunset. The siren is heard all over the country and lasts for one minute, during which Israelis stop everything (including driving, which stops highways) and stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect. The official ceremony to mark the opening of the day takes place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the flag of Israel is lowered to half mast.

A two-minute siren is sounded at 11:00 the following morning, Wednesday 22nd April, 2015, which marks the opening of the official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. Many Israelis visit the resting places of loved ones throughout the day. The day officially draws to a close between 19:00 and 20:00 (7–8 p.m.) with the official ceremony of Israel Independence Day at the national military cemetery on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, when the Israeli flat is returned to full mast.

Scheduling Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) right before Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) is intended to remind people of the price paid for independence and of what was achieved with the soldiers’ sacrifice. This transition shows the importance of this day among Israelis, most of whom have served in the armed forces or have a connection with people who were killed during their military service.

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