Israel on Wednesday evening rose from a somber Memorial Day to celebratory joy, ushering in its 74th Independence Day with a grand ceremony in Jerusalem that echoed with calls for national unity.
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Events began at 7: 45 p.m. (local time) with a ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem that brought Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism to a close.
The Jewish state then immediately segued into its birthday celebration, with Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy delivering the keynote address: "Right now, with the transition that is so tough and so Israeli, we manage but for a moment to truly be one. We manage for a moment to not let any division get between us. And if we could do it yesterday, and we can do it tomorrow, I believe we can manage to do it every day; to choose to see the good in each other, to choose to brighten people's faces, to choose partnership over division, to be together in this home for us all."
The speech gave way to the torch lighting ceremony, which traditionally kicks off Independence Day.
Twelve men and women who made an extraordinary contributions to the development of Israeli society were recognized this year in the state ceremony: Kalman Samuels, founder of the Shalva organization, Yael Srar, the head of the Lobby for the War Against Sexual Abuse, Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yoram Yair, head of United for Israel's Soldiers, Mika and Ori Banki, whose daughter Shira was murdered at the Jerusalem Pride Parade in 2015, Idan Kleinman, head of the Disabled IDF Veterans Organization, Elizabeta Sherstyuk, a Jewish Ukrainian who heads the Chesed Chaim Humanitarian Aid Center, Paralympian Asael Shabo, a survivor of a terrorist attack, Dr. Simcha Gathon, director of the Center for the Legacy of Ethiopian Jewry, and Angel Alon who provided a foster home for 217 babies and children, Munir Madi, founder and head of the pre-military preparatory school "Kerem-El" in Daliyat al-Carmel, iconic Israeli singer Rita, and Lt. Hadar Cohen, the commander of the Olot company at the Michve Alon training base.
The ceremony also featured a historic first when National Counterterrorism Unit Commander Brig. Gen. H. lit a torch at the ceremony with his face nearly completely covered, to protect his identity.
The traditional handover of the state and military flags then took place, during which a military unit is tasked with safeguarding the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces for the coming year. The unit that receives the flags of the unit that delivers them arrange opposite each other and once the flags are unfolded, rearranged and handed over, an elaborate flags show commences.
The main Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem usually boasts a grandiose fireworks finale but this year, concerns over military veterans and civilians who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, the ceremony was accompanied by a silent pyrotechnic show.
As the ceremony commenced, thousands of Israelis gathered by the Western Wall in the capital to celebrate. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of people flocked to the main square outside city hall, whose building was lit with the blue and white of the Israeli flag.
In a special video message, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett lauded the country's achievements and urged unity and hope.
"The story of Israel is a story of hope, a story of the human spirit, a story of surviving against all odds. It's a story of a nation that built something from nothing, a scattered people returning to our ancient homeland.
"But what's the secret to our strength? It's our people, our passion, our spirit of Am Yisrael. No matter the horrors we faced, we never lost our hope; No matter who tries to dehumanize us, we never lost our humanity; No matter who tries to destroy us, we'll never be defeated. We will always prevail, because netzach Yisrael lo yeshaker.
"Israel may be rooted in the history of this land, but our forward-looking vision has made us number one for start-ups per capita.
"And there is so much to be happy about: We've got a booming economy, a powerful military, and a government in Israel's history – Left and Right, religious and secular, Jews and Arabs.
"We're united for a purpose, and that purpose is ensuring a strong future for the State of Israel. We continue building bridges, we continue providing solutions, and we'll continue creating a better future for all our children."
Yom Atzmaut Sameach! 🇮🇱
@USAmbIsrael and the entire U.S. Embassy Jerusalem team want to wish a happy 74th Independence Day to the State of Israel! pic.twitter.com/1LMs4r72S5— U.S. Embassy Jerusalem (@usembassyjlm) May 4, 2022
"The state of Israel has given new life to the Jewish people, security to all of Israel's citizens, and confidence that our best days are yet ahead of us.
"To every Israeli, every Jew in the world and every friend of Israel I say: Yom Atzma'ut same'ach! Happy Independence Day!"
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered Israel his congratulations to for Independence Day.
"The bonds between our two countries, based on our shared democratic ideals, are unshakeable. The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to Israel's security and deeply values our partnership in facing global challenges, including threats posed by Iran," he said in a statement.
"The United States looks forward to continuing our work with Israel to create a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Middle East, including through building additional bridges between Israel and its neighbors. Yom Atzmaut sameach."
Happy Independence Day #Israel 🇮🇱 74 never looked so young ✨
יום עצמאות שמח #ישראל. 🇮🇱 74 מעולם לא נראה כל כך צעיר ✨ pic.twitter.com/FRnyD099Wq
— Neil Wigan (@FCDONeilWigan) May 4, 2022
Celebrations are expected to continue on Thursday morning and early afternoon with the traditional military flyby across Israel's skies and the International Bible Contest.
The latter is a worldwide competition for Jewish middle and high school students held annually in Jerusalem on Independence Day.
Earlier this week, the IDF said that the iconic flyby – the height of the day for many Israelis – was slated to include F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets; Lavi training aircraft; C-130 cargo planes; a Boeing refueling plane; Black Hawk, Sea Stallion, Panther, Apache helicopters and, for the first time, Israel Aerospace Industries Heron drones.
In another first, this year's flyby will include the West Bank city of Hebron and the adjacent settlement of Kiryat Arba.
The military stressed the move, which sparked immediate controversy, was not a political one, but rather one related to the size of the community.
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