The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/independence-day/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:57:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Independence Day | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/independence-day/ 32 32 ‘A truly good kid’: Independence Day murder victim’s family prays for justice https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-truly-good-kid-independence-day-murder-victims-family-prays-for-justice/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:13:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3811292 Teens who killed Yemanu Zelka for asking them not to use party spray in pizzeria are 'professional criminals' aided by parents, says victim's sister; main suspect reportedly not talking

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]]> US teens place high in Israel’s annual Bible Quiz https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-teens-place-high-in-israels-annual-bible-quiz-in-strongest-showing-in-decade/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:05:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3810954 American participants who managed to arrive in the country during tenuous ceasefire with Iran drew extra praise from the judges this year for their fluency in Hebrew

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]]> Seven teens arrested in connection with Independence Day murder of pizzeria worker https://www.timesofisrael.com/six-teens-arrested-in-connection-with-independence-day-murder-of-pizzeria-worker/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 10:47:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3809544 Suspects said to have acted like 'veteran criminals' in bid to avoid arrest after allegedly ambushing Yemanu Zelka, 21, for asking them to stop spraying party foam in Petah Tikva Pizza Hut

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]]> How my modest love song was sucked into a chilling machine of political propaganda https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-my-modest-love-song-was-sucked-into-a-chilling-machine-of-political-propaganda/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:14:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807991 The Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony demonstrated how politicians erase the truth using fake sentimentality and turn a national event into a fawning display for Netanyahu

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]]> Trump among recipients of Israel Prize, for ‘special contribution to the Jewish people’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-among-recipients-of-israel-prize-for-special-contribution-to-the-jewish-people/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:34:18 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3807908 US leader expected to receive award when he next visits; artists, researchers, educators honored at annual event

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]]> Honoring soldiers, Herzog says they have fought ‘battles future generations will study’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/honoring-soldiers-herzog-says-they-have-fought-battles-future-generations-will-study/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:28:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3807736 Freed hostage performs, another is celebrated at Independence Day ceremony for outstanding soldiers; IDF chief: Israel ready 'to return immediately and forcefully' to fighting

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]]> Blue skies, white smoke: Israelis celebrate 78 years of independence https://www.timesofisrael.com/blue-skies-white-smoke-israelis-celebrate-78th-year-of-independence/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:33:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807763 At beaches, city parks, nature areas and urban streets, the smell of grilled meat and the sound of party music fill the air as country marks another birthday

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]]> A stroll through Tel Aviv on Independence Day: Amid fragile calm, a city exhales https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-stroll-through-tel-aviv-on-independence-day-amid-fragile-calm-a-city-exhales/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:27:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807613 After weeks of war and amid tentative ceasefires, crowds fill beaches and parks, embracing barbecues, music and a sense of relief

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]]> TikToker dressed as chief rabbi stirs confusion at Independence event https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiktoker-dressed-as-chief-rabbi-stirs-confusion-at-independence-event/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:16:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807673 Self-styled messiah Eyal Tzionov has ascended Temple Mount and attended rally in support of Ben Gvir clad in Sephardic chief rabbi's iconic robe and turban, baffling authorities

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]]> Israel kicks off 78th Independence Day festivities with annual torch-lighting ceremony https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-kicks-off-78th-independence-day-festivities-with-annual-torch-lighting-ceremony/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:38:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807314 Torch-lighters include Argentina's Milei, a disabled IDF veteran and an Iranian ex-judicial official; Netanyahu gives pre-recorded speech focused on Israel's military achievements

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]]> Restrictions lifted, but war clouds put damper on Independence Day plans https://www.timesofisrael.com/restrictions-lifted-but-war-clouds-put-damper-on-independence-day-plans/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:55:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3805237 Cities move ahead with events amid fragile Lebanon and Iran ceasefires, though some opt for scaled-down, community-based celebrations, as war-weary Israelis voice caution and fatigue

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]]> Several cities nix Independence Day parties due to shaky Iran truce, Hezbollah war https://www.timesofisrael.com/several-cities-nix-independence-day-parties-due-to-shaky-iran-truce-hezbollah-war/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:38:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3800282 Local government leaders recommend holding smaller ceremonies in lieu of large-scale events; Or Yehuda mayor says celebrating ‘as if nothing is happening' is detached from reality

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]]> Reservist rabbi who called to ‘flatten’ Gaza will light torch at state Independence Day event https://www.timesofisrael.com/reservist-rabbi-who-called-to-flatten-gaza-will-be-honored-at-state-independence-day-event/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:15:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3798570 Minister says selection of rabbinic judge and bulldozer operator Avraham Zarbiv is a salute to national religious community; amputee soldier, Argentina's president, mother of last returned slain hostage among other torchlighters

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]]> Ex-captives slam choice of hostage point man Gal Hirsch to light Independence Day torch https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-captives-slam-choice-of-hostage-point-man-gal-hirsch-to-light-independence-day-torch/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:51:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3796363 Calling the pick 'a slap in the face,' former hostages and their families lash out at Hirsch, who they demanded resign in February for saying the hostage protests benefited Hamas

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]]> Fires near Jerusalem burn for second day but roads, towns reopen with foreign aid on way https://www.timesofisrael.com/blazes-near-jerusalem-rage-for-second-day-as-roads-reopen-with-foreign-aid-on-way/ Thu, 01 May 2025 08:55:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3539382 Planes from Europe expected in coming hours; firefighter numbers scaled back; all evacuees okayed to return home, though wildfires still active in six areas, clouding Independence Day celebrations

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