Israel Independence Day (05/05)

Israel Independence Day (Hebrew). יום העצמאות, Yom HaAtzmaut) — is the main public holiday of the country. It is celebrated annually on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, closest to 5 Iyar, in memory of the proclamation of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708 according to the Jewish calendar).

The Second World War ended, the world celebrated the victory over Nazism. Only a third of Europe's nearly nine million Jewish community survived this war, but the ordeal is not over for them. After the war, the British imposed even greater restrictions on Jewish repatriation to Palestine.

The answer was the creation of the «Jewish resistance movement», which aimed to fight the British authorities for free entry into the country. Despite the naval blockade and border patrols established by the British, from 1944 to 1948, about 85,000 people were transported to Palestine through secret, often dangerous routes.

The situation in the country was extremely unstable, practically crisis-ridden, and the British government was forced to transfer the solution to the Palestinian problem into the hands of the United Nations. On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the division of Palestine into two states by a majority vote of — 33 to 13 —. The Jews rejoiced, the Arabs protested and began hostilities. Thus, the territory determined by the UN to create a Jewish state had to be defended with arms in hand even before the creation of the state as such.

On May 14, 1948, the day the British mandate expired, David Ben-Gurion, at a meeting at the Tel Aviv Museum, read out the Declaration of Independence of the new state, officially called — Medinat Israel (State of Israel).

Hours after the Declaration of Independence, the armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq invaded the territory of the young state, and the Jews again had to defend with arms the independence finally gained on the land of their ancestors. More than 6,000 people died in this war, which lasted fifteen months. They gave their lives so that the existence of the State of Israel would become a reality. The following year, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, passed a law on a national holiday on the 5th day of the month of Iyar, called Yom Ha'atzmaut — Independence Day.

In Israel, the holiday is celebrated with ceremonial receptions, sometimes military parades. Military bases are open to the public, air parades are held, and naval equipment is demonstrated. Today Israel can be proud of the technical equipment of the army. On the eve of the holiday, state awards in the field of literature, art, and scientific research are awarded. And everywhere throughout the country — national flags are hung on buildings, cars, squares —.

Religious Jews who recognize the state of Israel read special prayers and, of course, the «a-Lel» prayer, symbolizing the national liberation of Israel. Public festivities take place in large and small cities and settlements in Israel, and people take to the streets. Music is heard everywhere, dance groups, choirs, and musical ensembles perform on improvised stages. The traditional end of the holiday was colorful, festive fireworks.

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