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Israeli Independence Day

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a video address at Israel's 78th Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony in Jerusalem, April 21, 2026 (Video screenshot)
April 22, 2026, 4:44 pm
From grief to trepidation: This year’s fateful transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day
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
By David Horovitz
Babies and medical staff with Israeli flags at the Nahariya Medical Center, ahead of Independence Day, April 13, 2026. (Yossi Aloni/FLASH90)
April 19, 2026, 4:50 pm
As Israel approaches 78th Independence Day, its population stands at 10.244 million
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
By ToI Staff
Israeli actress Hana Laszlo at the Israel Artists Association lifetime achievement awards ceremony, held at the culture center in Petah Tikva on November 22, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
April 13, 2026, 10:48 pm
Actress Hana Laszlo backs out of lighting torch at Independence Day ceremony
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
By ToI Staff
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
The dress rehearsal of Israel's 77th Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, April 28, 2025. The dress rehearsal was broadcast on television following the live performance's cancellation.(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 1, 2025, 1:48 am
Ex-hostages star in recorded Independence Day ceremony after live event canceled
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
By ToI Staff
Chai - Netta Barzilai (Jewish Agency)
April 30, 2025, 6:06 pm
Netta Barzilai gives new life to ‘Chai’ in Independence Day music video
New rendition of Ofra Haza’s 1983 Eurovision song designed to reflect Israel’s resilience and strength since the October 7, 2023, attack
By Zev Stub
Illustrative: Children play with Israeli flags ahead of Israel's 77th Independence Day at a kindergarten in Moshav Yashresh in central Israel, April 29, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
April 29, 2025, 3:44 pm
Israel’s population tops 10 million for 1st time, on eve of 77th Independence Day
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
By ToI Staff
Dana International, Israel's 1998 winner, in her iconic feathered dress, on display at an exhibit open for Eurovision 2019. (Courtesy)
April 24, 2025, 2:11 pm
Conservative groups furious as trans icon Dana International gets Independence Day honor
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
By ToI Staff
Left to right: Ben Shapiro speaks on stage during The Daily Wire Presents Backstage Live at Ryman Auditorium on August 14, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Davis / Getty Images via AFP); Freed hostage Emily Damari being prepped for surgery at Sheba Medical Center on March 2, 2025.(Credit Pomi Ofi Tal); Oren Smadga at the 2024 Paris Olympics on July 30, 2024. (Olympic Committee of Israel)
April 20, 2025, 11:29 pm
Ben Shapiro to be honored at Independence Day event alongside ex-hostage, IDF officers
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
By ToI Staff and Emanuel Fabian
From the Israel Philharmonic's Global Hatikvah project, launched May 14, 2024 for Israel's Independence Day (Courtesy)
May 16, 2024, 9:34 am
Thousands take part in global Hatikvah recording with Israel Philharmonic
Global Hatikvah music video features voices from the world over singing Israel’s anthem
By Jessica Steinberg
At the alternative Independence Day ceremony held by hostage family members in Binyamina on the eve of Israel's 76th Independence Day, May 13, 2024 (Photo by Flash90)
May 15, 2024, 2:45 pm
Daily Briefing May 15: Day 222 – Gaza heats up as Independence Day marked differently
Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian discusses Gaza and the north; Diaspora reporter Canaan Lidor looks at an alternative Independence Day ceremony, campus antisemitism in Europe
By ToI Staff
Hadas Hershkovitz, the widow of Israeli soldier Yossi Hershkovitz who was killed fighting in the Gaza Strip visits his grave on Israel's 76th Independence Day, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on May 14, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
May 14, 2024, 8:00 pm
Israel marks 76th Independence Day, at war, with ‘hearts full of sorrow and pain’
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
By Shira Silkoff and ToI Staff
A muted Independence Day celebration at Zichron Baruch synagogue in Tel Aviv went on, leaders said, because of a religious obligation to mark the holiday, May 13, 2024. (Deborah Danan/JTA)
May 14, 2024, 7:53 pm
Amid war and infighting, Israelis hit pause on Independence Day festivities
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
By Deborah Danan
Israelis attend a rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, at 'Hostage Square' in Tel Aviv, on the eve of Israel's 76th independence day, May 13, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
May 14, 2024, 3:23 pm
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, tens of thousands mark Independence Day with hope for freedom
Organizers say 100,000 joined families of some of the captives, gathering under the slogan ‘Our hope is not yet lost’
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: Two men wearing Israeli flags in New York City on May 23, 2021. (Ben Sales via JTA)
May 14, 2024, 2:51 pm
How US Jews are marking Israel’s Independence Day under shadow of war
Some communities replace the usual celebrations with sessions focused on hostage crisis, significance of Jewish democratic state, emerging antisemitism in US
By jacob gurvis
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