Israel's 54th Birthday

Israel's Independence Day is celebrated on the 5th of the Jewish month of Iyar. On that date in 5708 (May 14, 1948) the State of Israel was born. This year the holiday fell on Wednesday, April 17.

The state ceremony that marks the end of Remembrance Day and the beginning of Independence Day took place on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Twelve torches, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, were kindled by twelve Israeli citizens from all walks of life.

Independence Day is the holiday of Israel's flag. The streets of cities and towns are decorated with Israeli flags. The highway department hangs flags along Israel's major highways. People decorate their homes with flags, hanging flags from the railings of their balconies, and flying them from their cars' antennas.

Israelis celebrate Independence Day with their families, visiting national parks and nature preserves (where admission is free), Army, Navy and Air Force bases (open only on this day), and having barbecues and picnics. Even those who decide to stay at home have cookouts in their yards. (Before the holiday, supermarkets stock up on steaks and other cuts of meat suitable for barbecuing--the supermarkets probably sell more meat during the week preceding Independence Day than in an ordinary three-month period.) By afternoon the smoke of the charcoal and the smell of cooking meat is everywhere.

Several major events take place on Independence Day, including the International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth and the awards ceremony for recipients of the prestigious Israel Prize. Both events are broadcast live on national television and attract large viewing audiences.

The celebration of Independence Day is particularly meaningful because many of the state's citizens were alive in 1948 when Israel gained statehood and have participated in the creation of the fledgling state. This year Independence Day was even more poignant because Israel's standing army and about 30,000 reservists were engaged in a war against Palestinian terrorist organizations. As Israel marked its independence the fighting raged!