Israeli Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, who oversees Israel's 77th Independence Day events, has announced three prominent individuals who will light torches at the Mount Herzl ceremony: Israeli NBA player Dani Avdija, former Hamas hostages Emily Damari and Eli Sharabi, Jewish-American journalist Ben Shapiro, and international law expert Natasha Hausdorff,
Regev announced Monday that she selected Avdija from the public advisory committee's recommendations to participate in the prestigious ceremony. Avdija made history in 2020 when he was drafted ninth overall in the NBA – the highest position ever achieved by an Israeli player – and has continued to reach new professional milestones since then. Over the past year, he has accomplished exceptional achievements with the Portland Trail Blazers and established himself as a leading player in the world's premier basketball league.
On Sunday, Regev informed Damari that she would light a torch at the Independence Day ceremony. "Emily is an exceptional Israeli hero who has entered all our hearts and become a symbol of inspiration and victory," Regev stated. "Her steadfast stance during captivity and the tremendous resilience she demonstrated upon her return were a moving expression of the strength of the Israeli spirit and the hope that pulses within it. Choosing Emily represents our enormous appreciation for the bravery of captivity survivors and our commitment to the swift return of all 59 of our brothers and sisters still held in the Gaza Strip."
Damari, 28, was kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023. During her abduction, she was shot at close range, losing two fingers and suffering leg injuries. Following her release, the distinctive appearance of her injured hand has evolved into a powerful national symbol of survival and defiance. Pins depicting her bandaged hand have become widespread throughout Israel as emblems of resilience. She returned to Israel after 471 days in Gaza and has since worked tirelessly for the return of all remaining hostages.
In response to her selection, she posted a moving video on Instagram, saying: "Exactly three months ago, I emerged wrapped in this flag behind me, returned from Hamas captivity, and came out of darkness into light. Today I was informed that I will be lighting a torch at the Independence Day ceremony. For the hostages, for Gali and Ziv and 57 other hostages who are waiting to return home to their families. I have been given the privilege to do this, and I have no words to explain how excited I am. I want to say thank you very much for this privilege, thank you to the security forces, to the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces who risked their lives and continue to risk their lives so that we can raise this flag with honor and light a torch each Independence Day anew. The people of Israel live in glory."
Former hostage Eli Sharabi, a 52-year-old resident of Kibbutz Be'eri, was married to Lianne, who had immigrated to Israel from the UK. The couple had two daughters, Noa, 16, and Yahel, 13. On Oct. 7, all three were murdered in the kibbutz, while Eli was kidnapped to Gaza. His brother, Yossi, was also abducted. It was later determined that Yossi had been killed. Since his release, Sharabi has made the return of all remaining hostages his top priority, sharing his harrowing experience in a recent interview and even being invited to the White House to advocate for those still in captivity.
Earlier, Regev announced the selection of Ben Shapiro, who has amassed 20 million Instagram followers and is widely recognized as one of Israel's most prominent international supporters. Regarded as a politically conservative commentator, Shapiro ranks among the world's most influential Jewish voices through his widely distributed columns, podcasts, and books. His activities include speaking engagements at universities across the United States, where he regularly confronts and debates Hamas supporters.
Throughout his career, Shapiro has encountered opposition in virtually every field he has engaged with. He has faced criticism for controversial statements against LGBT people, Islam, and feminism, for some of which he later apologized. "Transgender people are unfortunately suffering from a significant mental illness that is deeply harmful," Shapiro said during an event at Yeshiva University in 2016. He added that "biology is biology; men cannot magically become women, and women cannot magically become men." In a 2023 statement, he described being transgender as a mental illness and characterized homosexuality as a "sin." On another occasion, he referred to women who undergo abortions as "baby killers."
"Ben Shapiro is one of the greatest supporters of the State of Israel in the world. Throughout his years in the media, and especially since the war began, he has demonstrated his unwavering support for Israel, the righteousness of its path, and its right to defend itself. Ben brings the Israeli voice to his millions of followers around the world and does so with fluency, courage, and determination that knows no bounds," Regev said.
Among the torchbearers is also Natasha Hausdorff, whom Minister Regev announced on Monday would light a torch at the Mount Herzl ceremony. Hausdorff, a member of the British Jewish community and an international law expert, has been at the forefront of legal advocacy for Israel in recent years. She successfully represents Israel against various entities attempting to challenge its righteous path and its right to self-defense.
The Israeli government has approved Regev's recommendation that this year's ceremony be themed "Bridges of Hope." The torches will be lit by individuals who demonstrate through their actions that what unites Israelis is greater than what divides them – people who serve as bridges for developing and strengthening hope across all aspects of Israeli society. Additional torchbearers will be announced in the coming days.
