Events are being held across Israel this evening ahead of tomorrow’s annual observance of Memorial Day.
Tribute are being made in honor of 23,816 fallen soldiers and the victims of terror attacks, reflecting the sacrifice of an additional 42 Israelis over the past 12 months.
In contrast to previous years, the many remembrance ceremonies and services were conducted in the absence of bereaved families due to coronavirus-related restrictions. In accordance with a decision by the Israeli Defense Ministry, a special honor guard will be placed at military cemeteries throughout the country, manned by service members of the nation’s security establishment.
The annual state ceremony will be held tomorrow at 11 AM at the military section of Israel’s National Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, also without the traditional presence of mourners.
Israel will make the transition from sadness to joy as the sun sets tomorrow evening, at the beginning of celebration of the country’s 72nd Independence Day.
A temporary-lockdown is being reimplemented despite the recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions, which will put a damper on public festivities. The Israeli public is being asked to remain at home beginning at 5 PM tomorrow, 28 April until 8 PM Wednesday, 29 April.
According to Police Spokesman, Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld, the curfew is intended to “prevent any spread of the coronavirus amongst families and people from getting together.” He added that “police units will set up roadblocks and patrol different areas to ensure that the safety and health measures will be implemented.”