Celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the state began in Israel on Tuesday evening. The central event was opened in Jerusalem, at which twelve torches are lit. They symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel mentioned in the Bible. In addition, parties and fireworks were planned in numerous cities.
According to media reports, several cities, including Tel Aviv, wanted to use silent fireworks. With this noise-reduced variant, consideration should be given to soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder, among other things. Otherwise, the banging of the firecrackers could mentally put those affected back into combat situations.
Another big rally against the judicial reform
The anniversary celebrations are overshadowed by the dispute over judicial reform, which opponents reject as a threat to democracy. Thousands of people took part in a rally against the reform in Tel Aviv in the evening. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for unity in a message broadcast at the ceremony in Jerusalem. “Let’s stop all the noise for a moment, let’s look for a moment at the great miracle called the State of Israel.”
In an interview, Israeli President Izchak Herzog described the dispute over judicial reform as the “worst internal crisis since the state was founded” 75 years ago. At the same time, in an interview with the Israeli news site ynet, he expressed the hope that the country could emerge stronger from the drama.
Israel commemorated its fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism on Tuesday. At commemoration ceremonies there were protests against government officials and arguments between opponents and supporters of the reform. An air parade is planned over large parts of the country on Wednesday. The German Air Force is also taking part for the first time. An Eagle Star 2.0 Eurofighter will be flown personally by Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz. The wings of the fighter jet are decorated with the German and Israeli flags.
The State of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948. State founder David Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv. Israel celebrates its anniversary according to the Hebrew calendar and therefore earlier this year.
