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Independence Day

The family of Yemanu Zelka speaks to the press outside the pizzeria where he worked, close to the site where numerous youths murdered him after his shift on Independence Day, in Petah Tikva, April 27, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)
April 28, 2026, 12:13 am
‘A truly good kid’: Independence Day murder victim’s family prays for justice
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
By Charlie Summers and ToI Staff
Akiva Shrier wins second place at the International Bible Quiz on April 19 in Jerusalem, Israel. (Screenshot via JTA)
April 27, 2026, 5:05 pm
US teens place high in Israel’s annual Bible Quiz
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
By Grace Gilson
People light candles and post messages outside a Pizza Hut in Petah Tikva, central Israel, on April 24, 2026, in memory of slain worker Yemanu Binyamin Zelka, 21, who was ambushed at the end of his shift on Independence Day night by a group of teens he had asked to stop using party spray in the restaurant. A picture of Zelka is captioned with Gen. 4:10, 'Your brother's blood cries out at me from the ground.' (Roy Alima/Flash90)
April 25, 2026, 1:47 pm
Seven teens arrested in connection with Independence Day murder of pizzeria worker
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
By ToI Staff
The 78th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
April 23, 2026, 10:14 am
How my modest love song was sucked into a chilling machine of political propaganda
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
By Amir Ben-David
People walk next to a large billboard depicting US President Donald Trump with the slogan 'The Deliverer,' in Jerusalem, April 19, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 22, 2026, 10:34 pm
Trump among recipients of Israel Prize, for ‘special contribution to the Jewish people’
US leader expected to receive award when he next visits; artists, researchers, educators honored at annual event
By ToI Staff
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir (center) and President Isaac Herzog meet with former hostage Cpl. Mia Leimberg during an Independence Day ceremony filmed at the President's Residence on April 20, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
April 22, 2026, 6:28 pm
Honoring soldiers, Herzog says they have fought ‘battles future generations will study’
Freed hostage performs, another is celebrated at Independence Day ceremony for outstanding soldiers; IDF chief: Israel ready ‘to return immediately and forcefully’ to fighting
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
A man wrapped in a prayer shawl prays during Israel’s 78th Independence Day celebrations at Sacher Park in Jerusalem on April 22, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 22, 2026, 5:33 pm
Blue skies, white smoke: Israelis celebrate 78 years of independence
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
By ToI Staff
People celebrate Israel's 78th Independence Day in Tel Aviv, April 22, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
April 22, 2026, 5:27 pm
A stroll through Tel Aviv on Independence Day: Amid fragile calm, a city exhales
After weeks of war and amid tentative ceasefires, crowds fill beaches and parks, embracing barbecues, music and a sense of relief
By Stav Levaton
Eyal Tzionov, a TikTok personality who dresses up as the Sephardic chief rabbi, sits in the audience of Israel's annual Independence Day torch-lighting on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026. (Screenshot/YouTube)
April 22, 2026, 4:16 pm
TikToker dressed as chief rabbi stirs confusion at Independence event
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
By ToI Staff
The 78th Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
April 22, 2026, 12:38 am
Israel kicks off 78th Independence Day festivities with annual torch-lighting ceremony
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
By ToI Staff, Nava Freiberg, Sam Sokol and Emanuel Fabian
People outside a shop selling Israeli flags and other regalia, ahead of Israel's Independence Day, Shuk Levinsky in Tel Aviv, April 19, 2026. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
April 21, 2026, 5:55 am
Restrictions lifted, but war clouds put damper on Independence Day plans
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
By Stav Levaton
People celebrate Israel's 77th Independence Day in central Jerusalem, May 1, 2025. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
April 12, 2026, 5:38 pm
Several cities nix Independence Day parties due to shaky Iran truce, Hezbollah war
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
By ToI Staff
This undated photo shows Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv posing seated at a desk in a building in Gaza with the words 'Rabbinical Court of Khan Younis' written on a whiteboard behind him. (X/Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
April 10, 2026, 1:15 am
Reservist rabbi who called to ‘flatten’ Gaza will light torch at state Independence Day event
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
By ToI Staff
Government hostage point man Gal Hirsch attends the funeral of Staff Sgt. Daniel Oz at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba, November 6, 2025. (Tal Gal/ Flash90)
April 6, 2026, 8:51 pm
Ex-captives slam choice of hostage point man Gal Hirsch to light Independence Day torch
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
By Jessica Steinberg and ToI Staff
An Israeli firefighter battles a wildfire near Latrun, Israel, outside of Jerusalem, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)
May 1, 2025, 11:55 am
Fires near Jerusalem burn for second day but roads, towns reopen with foreign aid on way
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
By ToI Staff
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