A stroll through Tel Aviv on Independence Day: Amid fragile calm, a city exhales

After long weeks of fighting with Iran and Lebanon, it had been unclear how, or even if, Israelis would be able to mark this year’s Independence Day. But with the conflicts now paused by fragile ceasefires, Tel Avivians poured outdoors on Wednesday to celebrate in familiar fashion: with barbecues, beaches and beer.

Walking through the city, it was almost hard to believe that just two weeks ago, the city had been under relentless Iranian missile fire.

With Independence Day a national holiday, the usual weekday rush gave way to something softer. Not quite normal, but close enough to feel like relief.

Most storefronts were shuttered for the holiday, but the streets were anything but empty. Families cycled past on quiet roads. Children darted between sidewalks and parks. Groups lingered in the sun, with nowhere urgent to be.

The colors of blue and white were everywhere, as some people subtly incorporated the national tones into their outfits, while others wore festive headpieces or draped flags over their shoulders. Flags also fluttered from balconies and storefronts, strung alongside paper streamers that caught the spring breeze.

Outside cafes, many young people nursed coffees, shaking off the remnants of a long night of celebration.

One, Leeor, who had attended a concert featuring artists Netta Barzilai and Dana International on Tuesday night, said it was a relief to see Tel Aviv stirring back to life.

“After the war, it’s just nice being able to go out again,” she said. “It feels like things are slowly getting back to normal.”

Down by the beach, the city was pulsing with energy. Volleyballs cut through the air. Music drifted from portable speakers. Some people stretched out on towels, taking in the April sun.

The boardwalk was thick with people — weaving between pop-up DJ booths and circles of dancers moving in step with traditional Israeli folk songs.

Amid the crowds stood Max, a yeshiva student planning to immigrate to Israel, handing out cold drinks and candy from a makeshift stand.

Standing beside a friend, he said they “just want to bring joy to the world. We love Am Yisrael [the nation of Israel] and we want to help people.”

“Independence Day is a day when all the Jewish people can come together and celebrate the State of Israel,” he added.

Max had returned to the country just a day earlier, after leaving in the midst of the six-week war with Iran. The hardship, he said, had only deepened his connection.

“The love between the Jewish people is so strong that we’re able to persevere.”

A few kilometers south, the scent of barbecued meat hung thick in the air at Charles Clore Park, where families and friends gathered in clusters of folding chairs and picnic blankets — a ritual as much as a celebration.

Melanie stood among them, surrounded by family, including her granddaughter, a combat soldier in the IDF home on leave.

She said she came to the park to “relax after the war.”

“We wanted to free ourselves, breathe some fresh air and spend time with the family,” she said. “We are enjoying the atmosphere… There is nothing like the atmosphere in Israel. We are all united.”