Last year, 56 Israelis were killed in the line of duty. On Wednesday, the country observes Yom HaZikaron to commemorate its fallen soldiers.
Israel mourns the loss of 56 more members of its security forces since last year's "Day of Remembrance for the Fallen in Israel's Military Campaigns and the Victims of Acts of Hate" (Yom HaZikaron). The Defense Ministry announced this on Friday, marking this year's Yom HaZikaron.
Another 84 veterans died from complications related to injuries sustained in service. The total number of Israeli casualties in the army and other security forces since 1860 now stands at 24,068. This figure also includes pre-state Jewish militia members.
Yom HaZikaron begins on Tuesday evening
Numerous Israelis are observing Yom HaZikaron by visiting the graves of slain family members and friends throughout the country. Graves are decorated with Israeli flags. Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White) officially launched the week of remembrance on Sunday. The actual day of remembrance begins with a one-minute siren wail on Tuesday evening, followed by a central ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
On Wednesday morning, a second siren, this time lasting two minutes, will sound across the country. This will be followed by a ceremony on Mount Herzl, next to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, which was the focus of attention last week during Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. On Wednesday evening, the somber Yom HaZikaron will then seamlessly transition into the joyous Independence Day, Yom HaAtzmaut.
One in three wants a gap between Commemoration Day and Independence Day
The organization Pnima, which studies the divisions within Israeli society, conducted a survey reported on Sunday by the newspaper Israel Hayom. According to the survey, nearly two out of three Israelis report having lost a friend or relative in military operations or terrorist attacks. At the same time, 35 percent believe the state does not adequately support bereaved families.
According to Pnima, three out of four Israelis observe the memorial day by standing during the siren. A third watch special broadcasts on television, and 18 percent participate in local ceremonies. Nearly one in three Israelis, according to the survey, believes that the memorial day for fallen soldiers should be separated from the immediately following Independence Day because the close succession infringes on the "sanctity" of Yom HaZikaron or places too heavy an emotional burden on the bereaved.
