Israelis remember fallen soldiers, victims of terror on Memorial Day
(Worthy News) – Israel’s Memorial Day, otherwise known as the Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror – or “Yom HaZikaron” – began on Monday evening, marked by a one-minute-long siren in which Israelis stood in silence followed by commemorative events across the country. President Isaac Herzog kicked off the official state events at the Western Wall, speaking before an IDF honor guard.
At the ceremony, Herzog echoed his comments from the past several weeks, in which he has called on Israelis to strike a compromise over the contested judicial reforms that have led to unprecedented protests and has even hosted talks between the two warring camps. “I would like to ask all Israelis that we mourn together and that we give voice to our collective sorry, and to have a Memorial Day that is clear of controversy.” IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who penned an oped in recent days in which he called on Israelis to rise above the political fray in respect of the fallen, said, “Tomorrow, we will check the various disputes we have outside the cemeteries so that we let the families, the commanders, and the soldiers unite in their sacred oath to honor their fallen comrades.”
Another siren will sound on Tuesday for two minutes as the main ceremonies on Mount Herzl’s military cemetery will begin for the fallen in Israel’s wars and later for Israelis murdered in terrorist attacks. Events will continue before the transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day, with celebrations kicking off on Tuesday night at the torch–lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl.[ Source: Israel Hayom (Read More…) ]