Celebrate Israel’s 76th Independence Day in Jerusalem.
Airshow
There will be no airshow this year.
Memorial Day – Independence Day Ceremony
The traditional event has been adjusted to respect the painful events of October 7 and reflect the difficult atmosphere of the country at war, while still honoring and celebrating the country’s existence. For the first time ever the torch-lighting ceremony that signals the end of Memorial Day will not be held in Jerusalem. It will take place in the Gaza border area. 12 sites that were among the hardest-hit on October 7 will see the lighting of beacons, including the kibbutz communities of Kfar Aza and Nir Oz, the site of the Nova music festival in Re’im, the destroyed police station in Sderot, Memorial Park in Ofakim, and the IDF base at Nahal Oz.
Each of the 12 torches that will be lit to signal the start of Yom Ha’atzmaut, will be by groups of people rather than individuals, given the large numbers of acts of heroism done by Israelis since the Hamas Massacre of October 7. The names of the torch-bearers will be released in the next couple of days. The ceremony will be wholly pre-recorded without an audience, following consultations with security officials.
Fireworks
There will not be any fireworks this year.
