The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/israeli-independence-day/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 14 Jun 2026 04:55:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Israeli Independence Day | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/israeli-independence-day/ 32 32 From grief to trepidation: This year’s fateful transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-grief-to-trepidation-this-years-fateful-transition-from-memorial-day-to-independence-day/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:44:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3806769 Threatened without and within, Israel will soon have to decide whether Netanyahu is best placed to defeat enemies bent on our destruction, and whether his policies are shaping or wrecking the Israel we need

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]]> As Israel approaches 78th Independence Day, its population stands at 10.244 million https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-israel-approaches-78th-independence-day-its-population-stands-at-10-244-million/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:50:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3805323 76% are Jews and 'others,' 21.1% Arabs; over past year, 177,000 Israelis were born, 48,000 died, 21,000 immigrated; population has grown over a dozen-fold since state's founding

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]]> Actress Hana Laszlo backs out of lighting torch at Independence Day ceremony https://www.timesofisrael.com/actress-hana-laszlo-backs-out-of-lighting-torch-at-independence-day-ceremony/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:48:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3801282 TV and film icon declines role after criticism from some bereaved parents over her signature on a petition last year calling to end the 'horror' in Gaza

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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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]]> Ex-hostages star in recorded Independence Day ceremony after live event canceled https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-hostages-star-in-recorded-independence-day-ceremony-after-live-event-canceled/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 22:48:22 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3539176 Agam Berger plays violin and Emily Damari lights torch in taping of dress rehearsal that was aired after ceremony called off due to strong winds, which sparked major fires; Channel 14 does not show Dana International

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]]> Netta Barzilai gives new life to ‘Chai’ in Independence Day music video https://www.timesofisrael.com/netta-barzilai-gives-new-life-to-chai-in-independence-day-music-video/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:06:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3538649 New rendition of Ofra Haza's 1983 Eurovision song designed to reflect Israel's resilience and strength since the October 7, 2023, attack

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]]> Israel’s population tops 10 million for 1st time, on eve of 77th Independence Day https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-population-tops-10-million-for-1st-time/ Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:44:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3537727 Central Bureau of Statistics says nearly 10.1 million people live in Israel -- 12 times as many as in 1948 -- including about 45% of world's Jews

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]]> Conservative groups furious as trans icon Dana International gets Independence Day honor https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-groups-furious-as-trans-icon-dana-international-gets-independence-day-honor/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:11:44 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3534049 Eurovision song contest winner says she insisted on being recognized as symbol of liberty and liberalism, as well as culture; two groups ask organizer to remove her from lineup

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]]> Ben Shapiro to be honored at Independence Day event alongside ex-hostage, IDF officers https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-shapiro-to-be-honored-at-independence-day-event-alongside-ex-hostage-idf-officers/ Sun, 20 Apr 2025 20:29:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3531069 Choice of right-wing American pundit met with backlash from LGBT rights group; also tapped are freed hostage Emily Damari and Olympic medalist and bereaved father Oren Smadga

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]]> Thousands take part in global Hatikvah recording with Israel Philharmonic https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-take-part-in-global-hatikvah-recording-with-israel-philharmonic/ Thu, 16 May 2024 06:34:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3290776 Global Hatikvah music video features voices from the world over singing Israel's anthem

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]]> Daily Briefing May 15: Day 222 – Gaza heats up as Independence Day marked differently https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-may-15-day-222-gaza-heats-up-as-independence-day-marked-differently/ Wed, 15 May 2024 11:45:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3290335&preview=true&preview_id=3290335 Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian discusses Gaza and the north; Diaspora reporter Canaan Lidor looks at an alternative Independence Day ceremony, campus antisemitism in Europe

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]]> Israel marks 76th Independence Day, at war, with ‘hearts full of sorrow and pain’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-marks-subdued-76th-independence-day-with-hearts-full-of-sorrow-and-pain/ Tue, 14 May 2024 17:00:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3289769 Biden wishes Herzog a year of peace and joy in congratulatory letter; Netanyahu absent from traditional events; families of hostages organize alternate flyover, Tel Aviv rally

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]]> Amid war and infighting, Israelis hit pause on Independence Day festivities https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-war-and-infighting-israelis-hit-pause-on-independence-day-festivities/ Tue, 14 May 2024 16:53:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3289626 The Oct. 7 Hamas atrocities cast a shadow over the holiday as citizens decline to celebrate while many of their countrymen are in mourning or have relatives held hostage in Gaza

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]]> In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, tens of thousands mark Independence Day with hope for freedom https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-tel-avivs-hostages-square-tens-of-thousands-mark-independence-day-with-hope-for-freedom/ Tue, 14 May 2024 12:23:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3289607 Organizers say 100,000 joined families of some of the captives, gathering under the slogan 'Our hope is not yet lost'

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]]> How US Jews are marking Israel’s Independence Day under shadow of war https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-us-jews-are-marking-israels-independence-day-under-shadow-of-war/ Tue, 14 May 2024 11:51:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3289489 Some communities replace the usual celebrations with sessions focused on hostage crisis, significance of Jewish democratic state, emerging antisemitism in US

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