| Yom Ha'atzmaut Hebrew: יום העצמאות |
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An air display in Tel Aviv on the 61st Israeli Independence Day, 2009 |
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| Observed by | Israelis |
| Date | 5 Iyar |
| 2011 date | 10 May |
| 2012 date | 26 April |
| 2013 date | 16 April |
| Celebrations | Displaying the flag of Israel and other national symbols, family meetings, fireworks, barbecues, picnics, concerts |
| Observances | Mount Herzl ceremony, Ceremonial lighting of the twelve torches, International Bible Contest, Israel Prize ceremony. |
| Related to | Yom Hazikaron |
Yom Ha'atzmaut (Hebrew: יום העצמאות, yōm hā-‘aṣmā’ūṯ, lit. "Independence Day") commemorates Israel's declaration of Independence in 1948. It is celebrated on 5 Iyar according to the Hebrew calendar. Yom Ha'atzmaut is preceded by Yom Hazikaron, the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day.
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Yom Ha'atzmaut centers around the declaration of the state of Israel by The Jewish Leadership led by future Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, on 14 May 1948. This was declared 8 hours before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine, which was due to finish on the 15th May 1948.
The Israeli declaration was based on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 regarding the Partition Plan for Palestine, adopted on 29 November 1947. The new state was quickly recognised by the Soviet Union, the United States, and many other countries, but not by the surrounding Arab states, who declared war.
Most of the official events take place in Israel's capital city Jerusalem, and are broadcast live on television.
An official ceremony is held every year on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on the evening of Yom Ha'atzmaut. The ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament), artistic performances, a Flag of Israel, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David and the ceremonial lighting of twelve torches, one for each of the Tribes of Israel). Every year a dozen Israeli citizens, who made a significant social contribution in a selected area, are invited to light the torches. Many cities hold outdoor performances in cities' squares featuring leading Israeli singers and fireworks displays. Streets around the squares are closed to cars, allowing people to sing and dance in the streets.
Israeli families, regardless of observance or affiliation, celebrate with picnics and barbecues (known in Israeli slang as a mangal – from the Arabic word منقل meaning "stove"). Balconies are decorated with Israeli flags, and small flags are attached to car windows. Some leave the flags hoisted until after Yom Yerushalayim. Israeli Television channels air the official events live, and classic cult Israeli movies and skits are shown.
Yom Ha'atzmaut is nominally celebrated on the 5th day of Iyar (ה' באייר) in the Hebrew calendar, the anniversary of the day in which Israel independence was proclaimed, when David Ben Gurion publicly read the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The corresponding Gregorian date was May 14, 1948.
If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, the celebrations are moved up to the preceding Thursday. This rule has been effective since 1951.
If the 5th of Iyar is on a Monday, the festival is postponed to Tuesday. This rule has been effective since 2004, in order to avoid having Yom Hazikaron or Yom Ha'atzmaut on (or following) a Shabbat.
Since the only other day of the week that the 5th of Iyar can fall on is a Wednesday, it is actually now relatively rare for the festival to be observed on the 5th Iyar itself.
Gregorian dates for Yom Ha'atzmaut:
Some Arab citizens of Israel celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut but some regard it as a tragic day in their history and call it al-Nakba ("the catastrophe").[3][4] The Druze have celebrated Israel's independence from the start.[5] Independence Day has also been celebrated by the Bedouins and the Circassians of Israel.[6]
Some religious anti-Zionist Jews display a black flag and wear ashes and sackcloth as a sign of mourning. Members of the Satmar, Toldos Aaron, Toldos Avraham Yitzchak,and Munkatch sects fast to atone for what they view as the sin of having created the Jewish state before the coming of the Messiah. Many fast on this day and some recite prayers for fast days.[7]
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