The mood at the start of Israel's 76th Independence Day is subdued. The torchlight ceremony is dedicated to the heroes of October 7th.
Normally, the mood shifts from mourning to joy when the memorial day for the fallen and victims of terrorism transitions into Israeli Independence Day. It's a special moment every year. But this year, the mood remained somber in light of the war and the 132 hostages in the Gaza Strip.
The Yom HaZikaron memorial day ended on Monday evening with a ceremony in which individual torches were lit one after the other at various sites of the October 7 terror massacre: in kibbutzim, on Sikim beach, in Sderot or also in the Tekuma Moshav, where wrecks of vehicles destroyed in the Hamas attack are piled up.
The last site was Re'im, the location of the Nova Festival. A total of 401 people were killed at three Israeli festivals near the Gaza Strip. The torches lit during the "Massa HaZikaron," the memorial march, were lit by people directly affected by the massacre.
Torch ceremony recorded
The official opening ceremony for the 76th Independence Day (Yom HaAzma'ut) on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl was pre-recorded this year. The organizers, led by Transportation Minister Miri Regev (Likud), wanted to prevent unwanted interruptions, according to the online newspaper "Times of Israel".
The torch-lighting ceremony itself was also different than usual: there were a total of 44 people lighting the twelve torches, which symbolically represent the twelve biblical tribes of Israel. Normally, there are 14. The lighters were assigned to different groups, all of which had a connection to October 7th. One torch remained without a lighter – this was meant to be a reminder of the hostages and missing persons, without whom such a ceremony would not be complete.
Calm music
The songs performed during the celebration were mostly somber, and the lyrics lacked the cheerful atmosphere of previous years. The first piece, for example, was titled "Ke-sche-amut" – "When I die." Its lyrics include: "When I die, then something of me will die in you." Another line reads: "We are all one single living human network."
This song was followed by the prayer "Acheinu" (Our Brothers), which dates back to the Middle Ages. Jews recite it when they intercede before God for the kidnapped and missing. A recurring symbol in the set design was the yellow ribbon – with it, people express their solidarity with the hostages. Empty yellow chairs were also visible.
Netanyahu and Okana emphasize the importance of unity
In a video message, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) said that 76 years ago Israel was alone and inadequately armed in the war. And the enemy is still there. "But today we are strong."
He invoked the "spirit of generations" and promised: "We will bring all hostages home." Israelis now had the independence to defend themselves. This could only be achieved together, shoulder to shoulder, with soldiers and others. Netanyahu spoke of a "generation of victors" and added: "We are all proud Israelis."
Knesset Speaker Amir Ochana (Likud) spoke directly from Mount Herzl. He, too, called on Israelis to unite. Opening a new chapter together would be difficult, but possible. Citizens should "shout less and listen more," including at the political level. "Jerusalem and Tel Aviv must meet," Ochana summarized his message. Unity is as essential to the small nation as the air it breathes.
Security teams make a start
The torch-lighting ceremony itself was dedicated to the heroes and heroism "that no one can defeat," as the presenters put it. During the introductions of the individual lighters, tears flowed several times – when they named parents or children who had been murdered in the massacre or had fallen in the current war.
Representatives of the security teams who defended their homes and communities against the terrorists on October 7th began the ceremony. They dedicated their torch to life along Israel's northern border, threatened by Hezbollah, and to the memory of those murdered for whom all help came too late. They expressed their hope "that a day will come when we will no longer be needed.".
The security service torchlighters mostly appeared before the cameras with their faces covered and using abbreviated names. They dedicated their torches to the foreign intelligence agency Mossad, the domestic intelligence service Shabak, and the privilege of wearing a uniform. The police, border police, and army were also mentioned.
Arab-Jewish-Christian diplomacy
The “torch of public diplomacy” was lit by people who are fighting for the reputation of the Jewish state on social media. One of them was journalist Joseph Haddad, who described himself as a “proud Arab in a proud Israel.” He was joined by Jewish influencer Ella Keinan, who coined the hashtag “HamasIsISIS.” Australian Christian Nathanial Buzolic, who has shown solidarity during several visits to Israel since October 7, also joined them. They lit the torch for all those who fight for the truth—and for the privilege of supporting the people of Israel.
Deborah Silverstein, a Chicago city council member, and British Rabbi David Meyer represented Diaspora Jews at the ceremony. Their torch symbolized the global fight against antisemitism.
Volunteers from the Israeli rescue services dedicated another torch to the effort to save lives. They emphasized the "privilege of always being the first to rush forward" and the sanctity of life.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the defense industry. Israelis who had contributed to the development of defense systems like Arrow and Iron Dome lit a torch, dedicating it to "life in this good country" and to the developers and engineers.
Since October 7th, staff in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and emergency services have cared for numerous people suffering physical and psychological injuries, and continue to do so today. They dedicated their torch, among other things, to the patients and to the privilege of saving lives.
A 96-year-old reservist
Amidst all the grief and sorrow, many artists and others are striving to uplift people through actions, words, and music. Among those participating in the "Torch of the Spirit" ceremony, dedicated to artists and the downtrodden, was 96-year-old Esra Yachin. He is the oldest active reservist in the Israeli army. At the age of 15, he fought for the pre-state underground organization Lehi and was wounded in the War of Independence. Today, he shares his experiences with members of the military.
Many Israelis became heroes on October 7th when they rushed to the sites of the massacre with minimal weapons to help. Some of these rescuers lit a torch, among other things, "for Jews and Arabs who will live together in peace in this land." They also mentioned "those we could not save.".
The “Torch of Giving” was lit by the “Three Mamas”—Druze women who provide kosher meals to soldiers and reservists. One of them affectionately said the soldiers were “like our children.” They emphasized the “privilege of being on the side of givers.”.
Three women took to the stage on behalf of the 132 hostages. One was Ori Megidisch, who was rescued at the end of October and recently returned to military service. They dedicated the torch to the "heroic families" of the kidnapped and missing, calling out to them: "Don't lose hope!" Megidisch said that even in the darkness, she knew the soldiers would come to rescue her.
During the traditional flag ceremony, flag bearers from the various security services formed different figures in a choreographed display. This included a memorial candle for those killed and the ribbon commemorating the hostages. At the end, they spelled out the three Hebrew words "Am Israel Chai" – "The people of Israel live.".
Alternative protest events
Although the organizers adapted the opening ceremony of the national holiday to the somber mood, there were protests against the celebrations taking place at all. In Binyamina, relatives of hostages held a "torchlight ceremony." At an alternative event in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, approximately 100,000 Israelis expressed their discontent.
