This year’s Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony to be held in Gaza Envelope region instead of Jerusalem

Dr. Hatam Hussein (right) and Professor Avraham Rivkind (left) light a torch at the 75th Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 25, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Dr. Hatam Hussein (right) and Professor Avraham Rivkind (left) light a torch at the 75th Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 25, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

This year’s state ceremony transitioning from Memorial Day to Independence Day will take place in southern border towns targeted on October 7 instead of the traditional location in Jerusalem, Transportation Minister Miri Regev announces.

Torches will be lit in 12 of the hardest-hit locations near the Gaza border, including Kfar Aza, Nir Oz, Re’im, Sderot, Ofakim and Nahal Oz.

Kibbutz Be’eri was supposed to be one of the sites also selected, but the town refused in opposition to the notion of holding such ceremonies while members of its community remain captive in Gaza.

The May 13 ceremony will not include the traditional fireworks display and will be pre-recorded without an audience.

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