Independence Day (Israel)

Independence Day (Hebrew: יום העצמאות Yom Ha'atzmaut, lit. "Day of Independence") is the national day of Israel, commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. The day is marked by official and unofficial ceremonies and observances.

Independence Day
יום העצמאות
Yom Ha'atzmaut
An air display in Tel Aviv on Israel's 61st Independence Day
Observed byIsraelis
CelebrationsDisplaying the flag of Israel and other national symbols, family meetings, fireworks, barbecues, picnics, concerts
ObservancesMount Herzl ceremony, ceremonial lighting of the twelve torches, International Bible Contest, Israel Prize ceremony.
Date5 Iyar (Hebrew calendar)
2022 dateSunset, 4 May –
nightfall, 5 May[1]
2023 dateSunset, 25 April –
nightfall, 26 April[1]
2024 dateSunset, 13 May –
nightfall, 14 May[1]
2025 dateSunset, 30 April –
nightfall, 1 May[1]
Related to

Because Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, which corresponded with the Hebrew date 5 Iyar in that year, Yom Ha'atzmaut was originally celebrated on that date. However, to avoid Sabbath desecration, it may be commemorated one or two days before or after the 5th of Iyar if it falls too close to the Jewish Sabbath. Yom Hazikaron, the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day is always scheduled for the day preceding Independence Day.

In the Hebrew calendar, days begin in the evening and Independence Day is observed from nightfall until the following evening of the designated day.[2] The most recent occurrence of Yom Haatzmaut took place from sunset to sunset, 4–5 May 2022.

History
David Ben-Gurion proclaiming independence beneath a large portrait of Theodor Herzl, founder of modern Zionism.

Independence Day is founded on the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel by the Jewish leadership headed by future Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion on 14 May 1948.[3] The mood outside of Ben-Gurion's home just prior to the declaration was joyous:

The Jews of Palestine ... were dancing because they were about to realize what was one of the most remarkable and inspiring achievements in human history: A people which had been exiled from its homeland two thousand years before, which had endured countless pogroms, expulsions, and persecutions, but which had refused to relinquish its identity—which had, on the contrary, substantially strengthened that identity; a people which only a few years before had been the victim of mankind's largest single act of mass murder, killing a third of the world's Jews, that people was returning home as sovereign citizens in their own independent state.[4]

Independence was declared eight hours before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine, which was due to finish on 15 May 1948.

Independence Day, 1978

The operative paragraph of the Declaration of the Establishment of State of Israel of 14 May 1948[5] expresses the declaration to be by virtue of our natural and historic right and on the basis of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. The operative paragraph concludes with the words of Ben-Gurion, where he thereby declares the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel.

The new state was quickly recognized by the United States de facto, the Soviet Union,[6] and many other countries, but not by the surrounding Arab states, which officially declared war on the new state, thus escalating the ongoing 1947–1948 civil war in Mandatory Palestine.

Events
Independence Day celebrations in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, 2008
Israeli Air Force Independence Day flypast, 2011

Independence Day eve

Memorial Day, or Yom Hazikaron, ends at sunset, and is immediately followed by the onset of Independence Day, given that in the Hebrew calendar system, days end and begin at sunset.

An official ceremony is held every year on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on the evening of Independence Day.[7] The ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament), artistic performances, a Flag of Israel, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David) and the ceremonial lighting of twelve torches, one for each of the Tribes of Israel. Every year a dozen Israeli citizens, who made a significant social contribution in a selected area, are invited to light the torches. Many cities hold outdoor performances in cities' squares featuring leading Israeli singers and fireworks displays. Streets around the squares are closed to cars, allowing people to sing and dance in the streets.[8]

Independence Day
International Bible Contest, 1985
Visitors around an IDF Caterpillar D9 at the Israel Defense Forces exhibition at Yad La-Shiryon, Independence Day 2012.

From 1948 to 1973 the Israel Defense Forces parade was held on this day.[14]

Israeli families traditionally celebrate with picnics and barbecues.[15] Balconies are decorated with Israeli flags, and small flags are attached to car windows. Some leave the flags hoisted until after Yom Yerushalayim. Israeli Television channels air the official events live, and classic cult Israeli movies and skits are shown.[8]

Religious customs
Hallel recited at the Day to Praise Israel Independence Day event in Jerusalem, 23 April 2015

In response to widespread public feeling, the Chief Rabbinate in Israel decided during 1950–51 that Independence Day should be given the status of a minor Jewish holiday on which Hallel be recited. Their decision that it be recited (without a blessing) gave rise to a bitter public dispute, with Agudath Israel rejecting the notion of imbuing the day with any religious significance whatsoever, and religious Zionists believing the blessing should be obligatory.[16] The Rabbinate also ruled that they were "unable to sanction instrumental music and dances on this day which occurs during the sephirah period."[17] The recitation of the blessing over Hallel was introduced in 1973 by Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren. The innovation was strongly denounced by his Sephardic counterpart, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef[18] and by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, leader of Modern Orthodox Judaism in America.[19]

The Religious Zionist movement created a liturgy for the holiday which sometimes includes the recitation of some psalms and the reading of the haftarah of Isaiah 10:32–12:6, which is also read on the last day of Pesach in the Diaspora, on the holiday morning. Other changes to the daily prayers include reciting Hallel, saying the expanded Pesukei D'Zimrah of Shabbat (the same practice that is observed almost universally on Hoshanah Rabbah), and/or blowing the Shofar. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik questioned the Halachic imperative in canonising these changes[20] (it is not clear what his personal practice was regarding the recital of Hallel). In any case, the majority of his students recite Hallel without the blessings.[21] A number of authorities have promoted the inclusion of a version of Al Hanisim (for the miracles...) in the Amidah prayer.[22] In 2015 Koren Publishers Jerusalem published a machzor dedicated to observance of Independence Day, in addition to Jerusalem Day.[23]

Most Haredim make no changes in their daily prayers. People affiliated to the Edah HaChareidis mourn the establishment of Israel on Independence Day, claiming that the establishment of a Jewish state before the coming of the Messiah is a sin and heresy. Some even fast on this day and recite prayers for fast days.[24]

The Conservative Movement read the Torah portion of Deuteronomy 7:12–8:18, and include a version of Al Hanisim as well as recite full Hallel with the blessings.[25] The Reform Movement suggests the inclusion of Ya'aleh V'yavo in the Amidah prayer.

In 2015, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat founded Day to Praise, a global initiative which calls on Christians around the world to join in reciting the Hallel (Psalms 113–118), with the Jewish people, on Israel's Independence Day.[26]

Families celebrating in Israel Defense Force fair in Sderot, 2019

Timing

Independence Day is designated to be on the 5th day of Iyar (ה' באייר) in the Hebrew calendar, the anniversary of the day on which Israeli independence was proclaimed, when David Ben-Gurion publicly read the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The corresponding Gregorian date was 14 May 1948.[27]

However, nowadays Independence Day is rarely celebrated on the 5th of Iyar itself, and on most years is moved forward or backwards by one or two days. According to the rules of the Jewish calendar explained in Days of week on Hebrew calendar, the 5th of Iyar can fall on a Monday, a Wednesday, a Friday, or a Saturday. To avoid Sabbath desecration, it was decided in 1951 that if the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, the celebrations would be moved up to the preceding Thursday (3 or 4 of Iyar). Additionally, since 2004, if the 5th of Iyar is on a Monday, the festival is postponed to Tuesday (6 of Iyar). Monday is avoided in order to avoid potential violation of Sabbath laws by preparing for Yom Hazikaron (which one day before Independence Day) on a Shabbat. As a result, Independence Day falls between 3 and 6 of Iyar, and can be on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. It will only actually be on the 5th of Iyar when this date happens to be a Wednesday.[27]

Upcoming Gregorian dates for Independence Day:

  • Sunset, 13 May 2024 – nightfall, 14 May 2024
  • Sunset, 30 April 2025 – nightfall, 1 May 2025
  • Sunset, 21 April 2026 – nightfall, 22 April 2026
  • Sunset, 11 May 2027 – nightfall, 12 May 2027

Israeli Arab reactions

While some Israeli Arabs celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, others regard it as a tragic day in their history referred to as Nakba ("the catastrophe")[28][29][30] As early as 1949, and officially since a 1998 proclamation by Yasser Arafat, May 15 was commemorated as Nakba Day.[31]

References
  1. "Dates for Israeli Independence Day". Hebcal.com by Danny Sadinoff and Michael J. Radwin (CC-BY-3.0). Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  2. Kurzweil, Arthur (9 February 2011). The Torah For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118051832 – via Google Books.
  3. Sherzer, Adi (January 2021). Kedourie, Helen; Kelly, Saul (eds.). "The Jewish past and the 'birth' of the Israeli nation state: The case of Ben-Gurion's Independence Day speeches". Middle Eastern Studies. Taylor & Francis. 57 (2): 310–326. doi:10.1080/00263206.2020.1862801. eISSN 1743-7881. ISSN 0026-3206. LCCN 65009869. OCLC 875122033. S2CID 231741621.
  4. Oren, Michael B. "Ben-Gurion and the Return to Jewish Power." New Essays on Zionism. Ed. Hazony, et al. Jerusalem: Shalem Press, 2006. 406. PDF Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. "Israel Ministry of foreign Affairs: Declaration of Establishment of State of Israel: 14 May 1948". Mfa.gov.il. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  6. United states de facto Recognition of State of Israel: 14 May 1948: Retrieved 9 April 2012
  7. Israeli Judaism: The Sociology of Religion in Israel. Transaction Publishers. 1995. ISBN 9781412826747. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  8. Cohen, Gili. "Independence Day-Haaretz – Israel News". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  9. Judy Maltz13 hours ago 3 comments 3 (12 May 2016). "Israeli president honors 120 outstanding soldiers on Independence Day – Israel News". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  10. "The boy who beat incredible odds to win the Bible Quiz". The Times of Israel.
  11. "Academic gives $20,000 prize from Israel to Palestinians". Independent.co.uk. 14 May 2016.
  12. באינטרנט, אוריון – שיווק. "The Israel Song Festival". iccjer.co.il. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  13. "10 דברים שלא ידעתם על המצעד השנתי הרשמי של ישראל בכאן גימל".
  14. "No thanks, Miri Regev: Israelis don't want to bring back military parades". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.
  15. "A reason to celebrate: Toasting 68 years of Jewish statehood – J." 6 May 2016.
  16. Baruch Kimmerling (1 January 1989). The Israeli State and Society: Boundaries and Frontiers. SUNY Press. pp. 191–193. ISBN 978-0-88706-850-8.
  17. Sir Immanuel Jakobovits (1966). "Controversy: Letters To The Editor". Journal of a Rabbi. Living Books. p. 441.
  18. Alfred S. Cohen, ed. (1984). "Reciting Hallel on Yom Haatzmaut". Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society. Vol. 7–10. Yeshiva Rabbi Jacob Joseph School. p. 17.
  19. Shalom Carmy (2008). "Teacher Not a Spokesman". In Zev Eleff (ed.). Mentor of Generations: Reflections on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. KTAV Publishing House, Inc. p. 246. ISBN 978-1-60280-011-3. He strictly prohibited reciting a berakha [blessing] on the Hallel.
  20. Jewish Action. Vol. 66. Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. 2005. p. 93. The Rav's famous outburst on Yom Ha'atzamaut 1978 when he called the ceremony for Yom Ha'atzamaut "acute halachic mental retardation" was a result of a deeply held antagonism to all changes in the siddur.
  21. Meiselman, Rabbi Moshe (Fall 2005). "Review of Soleveitchik, Rabbi Joseph B., 'Community, Covenant and Commitment: Selected Letters and Communications,' edited by Nathaniel Helfgot". Jewish Action. Orthodox Union. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  22. This segment includes Rav David Bar Hayim of the Hardal camp who heads Machon Shilo Institute, (Machon Shilo Al HaNisim for Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalyim), and The Temple Institute, as well as Avi Shmidman and Ben-Tzion Spitz (Shmidman Al HaNissim).
  23. "The Koren Mahzor for Yom Ha'atzmaut & Yom Yerushalayim".
  24. Mishpacha Magazine, "Zealots and Zionism", Moishe Guttman. 14 March 2007
  25. Lucas, Lucas. "Yom Ha-atzmaut: Laws & Customs". Jewish Law. The Rabbinical Assembly. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  26. Poch, Raphael (23 March 2015). ""Day to Praise" Calls on Christians, Jews Worldwide to Unite in Prayer". Breaking Israel News. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  27. "Independence Day Law – 5709". knesset.gov.il. The State of Israel. 1949. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  28. Maariv article (in Hebrew).
  29. 'How does an Arab-Israeli school confront independence day?' Archived 11 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine EETTA PRINCE-GIBSON, 26 April 2012
  30. 'The Nakba Hoax in Retrospect' Archived 11 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Isi Leibler, 25 May 2012
  31. Gladstone, Rick (15 May 2021). "An annual day of Palestinian grievance comes amid the upheaval". New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
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