Israel marks independence day with torch-lighting
Israel made the jarring move from grief to joy on Wednesday evening, welcoming Independence Day with a torch-lighting ceremony at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalemm, Yediot Ahronot reported.
The torch-lighting ceremony, which officially marks the beginning of Independence Day celebrations, focused this year on trailblazers - outstanding Israelis who reached unusual and inspiring achievements and have made a significant contribution to Israeli innovation and excellence in different walks of life, including: Science and technology, defense, economics, medicine, agriculture, culture and sports.
But before official Independence Day celebrations could start, Herzl Shaul, the father of Oron Shaul who was killed in battle in Saja'iyya last summer, read out the Yizkor ("remembrance") prayer, in honor of Israel's fallen soldiers and terror victims.
Col. (res.) David Rokani, who commanded the ceremony for the 33rd year in a row, then asked Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein permission to start the ceremony.
The Israeli flag was then raised to the top of the flagpole, and the celebration of Israel's 67th Independence Day began.
Unusually, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Independence Day greeting this year was pre-taped and aired on screens at Mt. Herzl.
"At the onset of this Independence Day I want to first and foremost salute you, the soldiers of the IDF, and all of the security forces,"
Netanyahu said. "Last summer, we saw your fighting spirit, your comradeship and the bravery in your hearts during Operation Protective Edge. You're the first layer of Israel's security and independence. On this Independence Day we look back at Israel's 67 years of existence with great pride. And we look forward with hope and prayer."
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein lit the central torch, and received a lot of applause when he said in his speech: "I love this country, but more than that I love this people. The residents of central Israel and those in the periphery; the people of the kibbutzim and moshavim; the settlers in Judea and Samaria, and the minorities; the people of the humanities and literature, academia and art. And yes - also those who kiss the mezuzah and pray at righteous' graves."
Edelstein, who was hinting at controversial comments made by artist Yair Garbuz before the recent elections, went on to say: "We have to rise above our disagreements and our different camps, strengthen what we have in common, condemn extremism, patronizing, racism and violence."
After Edelstein came 14 outstanding Israelis who lit the remaining 12 torches.
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