Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut 2018

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.

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

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