Israel Remembers Its Heroes

by Gil Ronen

The main ceremony for Memorial Day for the Soldiers Who Fell in Israel's Wars and the Victims of Terror Attacks began at the Kotel plaza at 8:00 P.M.

A 60-second-long siren sounded nationwide, and millions of Israeli citizens stood in honor of the 22,867 people who gave their lives fighting for the homeland, and who were murdered in the terror attacks.

The President, Prime Minister and IDF Chief of Staff are attending the Kotel ceremony, along with bereaved families.    

 

At 4:30 P.M., bereaved families attended a ceremony at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem.

 

At 9:00 P.M., an evening of songs dedicated to the fallen will begin at the Knesset plaza. The Knesset Speaker, as well as the Minister of Defense and Minister of Welfare, will attend.

 

On Monday morning, at 11:00 A.M., a second, two-minute siren will sound, as the day's central ceremony for the fallen soldiers will begin at Har Herzl. Two hours later, at 1:00 P.M., the ceremony for terror victims will commence. 

 

Remembrance Day is not a religious holiday but it is marked with an air of spiritual solemnity, including the full participation of rabbis - military and other - who recite prayers for the fallen at the ceremonies.

Read the rest of this story on: Arutz7