An annual torch-lighting ceremony was being held at Israel’s capital on Wednesday, marking the end of Remembrance Day. The end of the ceremony will touch off Independence Day celebrations across the country.
The official theme of this year’s Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl was “Water – The Source of Life.” Participants, chosen by a public committee within the Israel National Ceremony Center, were lighting 13 torches in honor of Israel’s fallen soldiers and terror victims.
This year’s ceremony was particular somber in memory of Hila Bezaleli, a 20-year-old IDF officer who was killed in a work accident preparing for the event.
Israelis were beginning to celebrate the country’s 64th birthday, as free outdoor concerts and shows were being held across the country. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are expected to visit Israel’s national parks, beaches and forests Thursday on the joyous national holiday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Israelis paid tribute to fallen soldiers and terror victims during Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country.
Ceremonies were held in remembrance of the 22,993 soldiers who have fallen in defense of Israel since 1860 – the year the first Jews left Jerusalem’s Old City walls to settle other parts of the country.
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