Mourning to Dancing: Israel transitions from Memorial to Independence Day

Israel went from pain to celebration at dusk on Wednesday, as Memorial Day for the Israel’s fallen since her re-birth in 1948 transitioned into joyful celebrations as her 71st Independence Day started.

Festivities for Israel’s 71st Independence Day Festivities started at Jerusalem’s Mt Herzl with the Torch-Lighting Ceremony. IDF soldiers paraded with Israeli flags around the procession grounds composing Israel related images in a beautifully choreographed display.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein dedicated his torch lighting to the residents in Gaza border communities, saying that they “prove the endless dedication and devotion that love of the land is not a slogan whose time has passed, but a way of life.”

Edelstein went on to say. “The people of Israel have one slogan: ‘Against all odds.’ They beat us and we stood up, they ravaged us and we moved on, exiled us and we always returned to the homeland” further addressing the audience “I turn to you, the child who is now watching the ceremony. You are part of a wonderful story that began in this country against all odds and its continuation depends on you”.

It has taken 71 years, but the nation that was re-born in 1948, with a little more than 800,000 individuals has achieved another record, and Israel’s 100th birthday celebration will be set apart by in excess of 15 million citizens, where 88.9% of her people state they have a wonderful life here.

Since the creation of the state, Israel has absorbed some 3,000,000 migrants who have made aliyah (become citizens), 43% of whom moved to Israel since 1990.

PM Bibi Netanyahu’s Greeting for Israel’s 71st Independence Day

“Warm regards from Jerusalem on Israel’s Independence Day.

It’s a remarkable day of celebration because the Jewish people have achieved something that no other people have achieved. We are the only people who live in the same land, with the same name, speak the same language and have the same faith as we had 3,000 years ago.

But what an odyssey did we undergo; such trials and tribulations and suffering and wandering. But we came back to our land and 71 years ago we reclaimed our independence. We built a state. We built an army. We built our land. We built a thriving economy that is a wonder to the entire world. We are a hub of innovation like no other. And we’ve built a democratic, free society for Jews and non-Jews alike that is a beacon of light in the heart of the Middle East.

This is what Israel is. It’s a hope among the nations and a hope for the nations. Yes, we still have antisemitism. Yes, we have those who slander us. But more and more people around the world see the truth about our achievement, about our freedom, about our hope.

I know that you share this hope and you share this pride and I thank you for celebrating Israel’s Independence Day with us.

Chag Sameach [Happy holiday].”

Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. (Isaiah 66:8)

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