75th Independence Day in Israel

What is Israel's Independence Day called? 

Israel's Independence Day is called Yom Ha'atzmaut in Hebrew. It is celebrated annually on the 5th of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in April or May in the Gregorian calendar. Yom Ha'atzmaut commemorates the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948, which established the modern State of Israel. 

How old will Israel be in 2023? 

Israel was established as an independent state on May 14, 1948. This year, the Jewish Homeland turns 75 years old. 

1998 was the year Google was founded, France won the World Cup, and yes, the year Israel celebrated its 50th anniversary. The anniversary was marked on Yom Ha'atzmaut, which, as we know, is Israel's Independence Day.  

Why is Israel called Israel? 

The name "Israel" has its roots in the Bible, specifically in the book of Genesis. According to the Bible, the patriarch Jacob was renamed "Israel" by G-d after wrestling with an angel. 

The name "Israel" means "one who struggles with G-d.” The renaming of Jacob to Israel symbolized his spiritual transformation and his new identity as the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

The name also reflects the deep connection of the Jewish people to their biblical and historical roots and their continuity as a people and a nation. 

What is the story of Yom Ha’atzmaut? (Israel Independence Day)?

The story of Yom Ha'atzmaut begins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Jews began to return to their ancient homeland in the region known as Ottoman-controlled Palestine. Jewish National Fund was founded in 1901 by Theodor Herzl, and with the coins dropped into Blue Boxes by Jews the world over, land in Israel was repurchased. The movement for Jewish self-determination in Palestine, known as Zionism, grew in strength and intensity as Jews sought a safe haven from persecution and discrimination in Europe. 

In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, which declared its support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people." This was a significant milestone for the Zionist movement and helped pave the way for the establishment of the State of Israel decades later. 

After World War II and the Holocaust, the need for a Jewish state became even more urgent. In November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted to partition Mandatory Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Jews accepted the plan, but the Arab countries rejected it and declared war on the newly established state of Israel when it declared its independence on May 14, 1948. 

Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, the fledgling Israeli army was able to defeat the Arab armies and establish the State of Israel. This was a remarkable achievement and a moment of great joy and celebration for the Jewish people. 

Today, Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated throughout Israel and by Jewish communities around the world as a day of pride, joy, and gratitude for the establishment of the State of Israel and the renewal of Jewish sovereignty in their ancestral homeland. 

Traditions of Independence Day Celebration in Israel

In one word – barbeque. On Israel’s Independence Day, it’s impossible to escape the enticing aroma of grilled foods as Israelis come together to celebrate the rebirth of their ancestral land. People also hold parties and take part in traditional Israeli folk dancing. 

What takes place before Yom Ha’atzmaut? 

Israel’s Memorial Day, known as Yom Ha’Zikaron, takes place the day before Yom Ha’atzmaut. This is a day of somber reflection as the names of every Israeli who has perished in war or due to a terrorist attack are shown on Israeli TV. Commemoration ceremonies are held across the country, and in the middle of the day, a siren sounds, and all traffic and people come to a standstill for one minute. 

That’s one question that can only be answered by experiencing it for yourself. Visit Israel @75 Trip to Israel to see how you can celebrate this historic milestone in Israel!