 Elie Hachenberg. Great to have you here Elie. Thanks for having me. Let's first take a look to the now at today's Memorial Day events which this year unfortunately did not pass without controversy. More in this report from our Piaz Dekobach. On Memorial Day bereaved families visit the graves of their loved ones on the many military graves here in Israel. This one in Kiryat Shaul north of Tel Aviv has a large section for fallen soldiers. More than 3,000 graves are located here. The graves here are decorated for the occasion of Memorial Day with Israeli flags, flowers next to every grave. There is a white stool put so that family members will have the chance or had the chance to sit down next to them next to the graves during the ceremony. The ceremony itself started with the nationwide siren at 11, then continued with the widow of a soldier who fell in the 73 war who lit a torch. Then Israel's defense minister Joav Galantel the speech and he emphasized that this day is dedicated to all representatives of the security forces soldiers, police officers, those who work in the intelligence apparatus and also in prisons. Now Galantel was one of the politicians who in advance called upon the public to leave politics outside the cemeteries. Now this Memorial Day is probably the most political the country has ever seen. Many bereaved families and the organization representing them Yad Lebanin requested in advance that politicians who did not serve in the military in the army themselves most of them for religious reasons would not attend the ceremonies held all across the country. Israel will make that famous transition from the somber atmosphere of Memorial Day to the Independence Day celebrations also held all across the country. One politician who insisted on attending and speaking at a memorial event today was far right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Vir. Despite calls that he not do so of a concern that his appearance there could spark protests and that unfortunately is exactly what happened when Ben-Vir showed up at the Beersheba Military Cemetery even setting off a scuffle between mourners there between those who were supporting his participation in the ceremony and those opposing it. And Ali no matter where you stand on the political spectrum it's upsetting to see a scene like that at a cemetery on Israel's Memorial Day. That might be an understatement Kalevan in this respect what is perhaps more disturbing is that it was clear that this is going to be the situation for several days now tensions have been leading up to this confrontation and either the attempts to de-escalate the situation the not bear fruit or there were not enough attempts to do so hearing a very harsh criticism on behalf of bereaved families organizations on the insistence as they're dubbing it of politicians to attend such sensitive ceremonies and on the other hand politicians are saying well we are here to honor those those who have fallen and lost their life in terror attacks so I truly do not recall such a complex atmosphere this already extremely emotional week in Israel year in year out this year there's something different this lack of social cohesion is is everywhere and is impacting again what is already an extremely sensitive week and the hope that this holy day will remain sacred are somewhat fading away with this and in this respect let's just be clear most ceremonies most memorials were right quote unquote eventless right they did pass quietly we should stress that it but we should also note it was not only at the Bershiba Cemetery also Minister Gila Gamliel who tried to arrive at a ceremony at one of Israel's Druze communities was in fact denied entrance sort of locked out of that that an anger over the previous Netanyahu governments passing of what's called the nation's state law so you're right this was only in a couple of locations but it's a shame to even see that making this already difficult transition from memory to celebration even more more right and at least stay with us in fact there was there's a protest this evening we should mention in the streets of Tel Aviv not at a ceremony again dealing with against the government's judicial reform plans and our correspondent Pierre Klaus Schandler is there and and Pierre it's obviously this is a different day for this kind of demonstration just give us an exact feeling of the atmosphere there well it's gonna start in about an hour because we have not yet been through the transition the abrupt transition between sorrow and celebration but here we expect tens of thousands me maybe even more of demonstrators and celebrators it's both a demonstration a protest against the judicial overall and a celebration of the state of of the independence of the state of Israel and one of the things which the people here are harking back about is the declaration of independence which was signed in 1948 by David Ben-Gurion 75 years ago which enshrines the guiding principles of Israel's democracy and for the protesters Israel's democracy is in danger you know they're gonna read excerpts of that declaration of independence they're gonna probably read the one of the guiding principles about social and political equality between all the citizens of Israel with no distinction of grace gender of religion and they're gonna probably talk about the independence of the state and the independence of the judiciary system which is what they're trying to defend so we expect both a celebration with DJs clowns jugglers rappers and at the same time a protest with stickers Israeli flags and speeches all right pia clausian were there on the sheets of television pia thank you for that I mean the irony here Ellie is that actually just simply looks like the setting of any of an independence day celebration for those who don't know Israel's independence day especially in the big cities is really just a big street party usually characterized primarily by Israeli flags like we've been seeing in these protests which is again something totally really new a protest with some of the characters of being more on the left or an anti-government protest but we're seeing Israeli flags and people saying that they're they're protesting for the country not against it and this is perhaps in retrospect you know in the books of history will turn out to be one of the main turning point of this of this protest what really changed the course of the protest we've seen now for over 16 weeks in a row this reclaiming of the Israeli flag that for several years indeed was attributed more to the right wing right or the national or nationalist campus right and the fact that from the very beginning all the different types of flags were put aside and the Israeli flag took center stage it is really something that again dictated the tone for the for the entire protest movement that we've seen in our recent years and and tonight in particular I think that we're going to see Israeli flags on many different forms capacities and I can only express genuine hope that perhaps the this very clear site of the Israeli flag across the political divide on every home here in Israel whether you right your left your center your secular your orthodox that perhaps it will remind people that at the end of the day again the way in which the state of Israel can prosper when the Israeli society might differ and that the goal is the same one right it's a unity we should know if there's gonna be a big protest scheduled on Thursday night in favor of the judicial reforms that calling that a million man it's not the end of it so we're gonna have to see how that goes Ellie Hockensburg stay with us when we come back we're gonna see the ceremonies marking first the end of Israel's memorial day and then of course into transition we see their scenes from Mount Herzl into Israel's Independence Day celebration will carry that all of that live stay with us on I-24 news highlights of my career I do a lot of big dinners but this one is very personal people and I think I didn't see I like I've been so many places I didn't see the same thing the special broadcast on I-24 news we are in as I said before the very last closing minutes of Israel's memorial day in remembrance of its fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism but just in a few minutes we're going to go to the Independence Day ceremony on Mount Herzl we just saw their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sarah they arriving to the site on Mount Herzl where we'll see the celebration which we're gonna be showing in its entirety which will be lasting about an hour and a half just traditionally the Prime Minister actually does not speak at the Independence Day ceremony though Benjamin Netanyahu did do that to a couple of years ago but the main address actually is going to be given by the Speaker of the Knesset of Parliament Amir Ohana because this is actually an event honoring the Parliament the Knesset of Israel and the founding of the State of Israel it's 75th anniversary and Ellie Ellie Hockenberg still in studio with me what's really striking is going to be this very a quick transition from the morning of Memorial Day to the celebration of Independence Day you know no matter how many years we sit here in this studio covering this event obviously watching it as kids here in Israel and many people overseas as well every year anew I find it so difficult to try to explain this transition because we're talking about utter most substantial fundamental grief at the highest level an individual and a nation can comprehend and in a split second to utter and complete joy and celebration and pride great pride in the accomplishments of this very young state I must I must mention but this is the thing about Israel and Israeli society perhaps that's the sorrow and the pain and the challenges are so profoundly intertwined with the accomplishments and the achievements and again this sense of gratitude and pride in and what that Israel was able to achieve in the frameworks of only 75 years right so and truly incomprehensible transition that but maybe also a fitting reminder that freedom the freedom for Israel the Jewish people and independence came at a very high price the war of independence in which some 5,000 people were killed that was 1% 5 6,000 I believe 1% of the entire population right a Jewish population at the time the state the famous expression in Hebrew the state was not handed over on a silver platter to those who inherited and maybe this transition from mourning and grief to celebration is a potent reminder of that absolutely and if you want to dive in deeper to what the preceded the state of Israel in Jewish heritage you will find it difficult to find a celebration without some level of sorrow or grief right when talking about Jewish holidays but the this independence day celebration indeed as as you're saying cannot be disconnected from the price that had been and still is being paid for its for its survival and a quick note if I may I mentioned a parliament that speaker Amir O'Hana and if we're talking about the differences in the complexity of the current political situation Amir O'Hana is a fascinating example of how alleges contradictions very much so can can exist all at once Amir O'Hana is a member of the ruling liquid party the right wing liquid party and also openly gay openly gay very interesting let's go now to the ceremony which has begun on that hurtful member of Knesset Amir O'Hana is now entering the ceremony plaza at Mount Herzl he is accompanied by the commander of the home front command major general Raffi Milo commander of the Jerusalem and Central District Colonel Shlomo Ben Ya'ir and the Knesset officer Yuval Khen the commander of the ceremony for seven years now is Colonel Shimon Dery Mr. Speaker of the Knesset the 2023 ceremony of the lighting of the torches and transferring the main flag flags is set and ready with your permission I will continue with the ceremony sir the commander of the ceremony please continue is core the core prayer will be read by Rabbi Leo D who lost his wife Lucy and his two daughters, 15-year-old Reena and 20-year-old Maya, in a terrorist attack in the Jordan Valley. The D-family made Aliyah to Israel from England and settled in a front. Lucy was a beloved teacher at a high school in Yashiva, Maya a national service volunteer, and Reena a student at the Kiryat Arba ul Panath. After having buried his wife and daughters, Rabbi Leo asked the public to raise the Israeli flag on social media. Tens of thousands of people in Israel and around the world uploaded pictures of the blue and white flag with the words, in remembrance of them. For the reading of this score, please rise. May the nation of Israel remember its sons and daughters, faithful and courageous. The soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and all members of the undergrounds and brigades, the warriors in the battles of the nation, members of the intelligence community, security personnel, policemen and the prison service, who gave up their lives in a war to ensure the existence of Israel, and all of whom that were killed within Israel and outside of Israel at the hands of murderers and terrorists. May the nation of Israel remember the radiance of the youthfulness, the delightfulness, the terrorism, purity of their will and the selflessness of those who fell in the costly wars. May the names of the victorious heroes who fell in the wars of Israel be inscribed upon the hearts of all Israelis and Jews for all generations. The first one is for the friendship between us, made flourish and rise higher and higher. Eh, not sorry, okay. The second one is for the neighborhood in Karmelit, the two houses next to each other with a shared garden. Children will play tag. Amen. The third one, so that we are rich as the kings for a match. And this, I won't tell you what this is. 75th anniversary of Israel's independence, the lighting of the torches ceremony and transferring the main flags of Israel will open with raising the flag of Israel. Please rise. The flag will entered from here to the head of the village during Tor Señor. We have a sign theадцies so that the flag is visible from here. From here you will see a female telephone press on the car. I call a man to have an ID number is to get. Pick that up. Pick the car next to the national power lot. We have a sign to get. Police will arrive. We have a sign for you. You have something you could use. Our message should be合, Snow do grow,으로,So , You see, it should not grow new landmarks, stem, We have an ID number. Please be seated. As for the left, right or left, the譜 shvaad RA rectangle prime minister to the citizens of Israel. Dear brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, let's pause all the commotion for a moment. Let's look at this great wonder, which is called the state of Israel. So many miracles we've worked here over 75 years. We rose from the ashes of the Holocaust to the heights of resurrection. As one nation, we won the wars of this country. As one nation, we absorbed millions of olim. As one nation, we've established a global industry and established such a glorious free economy. As one nation, we brought historic peace accords with Egypt and Jordan, the Emirates, Morocco, with Sudan and Bahrain. As one nation, we built this country, our country, towns and villages, roads and high rises. As one nation, we established the IDF with the best soldiers in the world who are protecting our country. Well done to the IDF and the security establishment. They're the best, but we still have so many great miracles ahead of us, strengthening our security, enhancing our economy, expanding the circle of peace around us. All these miracles and many others are possible as we march together. Marching together, this is something we learned early on. Back then, during our exodus from Egypt in the desert, back then we already argued whether to go to the left or to the right. And then we found our way, searched for our way in the desert for 40 years until we reached the promised land. And then we understood that only together can we reach our destination. But just in case, we invented ways, because that's how we Israelis are. Doing it together, that's the moment when the airplane lands at the Ben-Gurion airport and all of a sudden everybody applauds. There's nothing like this anywhere else in the world. Doing it together means arguing in favor and against around the Friday night table until the food arrives. Doing it together means crying together in memorial services and rejoicing together on Independence Day. Doing it together means knowing that we have one people, one country, and we won't have any other land. We don't have any other land. Happy Independence Day, the citizens of Israel. Independence Day, Happy Independence Holiday Israel. Wow. Happy Independence Holiday, Haki, Happy Independence Holiday, Moran, Happy Independence Holiday to all of us, 75 years that we've been walking this journey together. Together we crossed chasms, together we conquered peaks, together we laughed and cried and ached and celebrated everything we did here. All this wonder that we wake up to every day, almost without noticing. From all this we created together, only together. We have so much to say to each other, many thoughts, many dreams and endless opinions about what the right path is. But let us not be mistaken and others should not be mistaken about us as well. Even when we argue with all our hearts, it is out of love for the home that we built here together. The story of Israel is a story of pioneering from the days of the Bible to this very day, pioneering in aliyot, immigration to this country and building cities, towns, kibbutzim, or shavim, pioneering in reviving the ancient Hebrew language and the creation of a rich and vibrant culture. Like Nakhshon, son of Aminadav, the first who entered between the waves of the Red Sea and who led an entire nation after him, Israeli pioneers today as well continue to leap into the unknown, to break new ground into the tomorrow and to believe that where there's a will, there's a way. This year, the lighting of the torches ceremony will celebrate Israel's pioneers in the past and in the present. The first ones who turned and continue to turn ID's into actions, dreams into reality. The first ones to say, Hineni, here I am. As in ancient times, even today, ye pioneers shall pass over before your brethren, the children of Israel, all the men of valor. The singers and dancers and performers on the stage and all the people behind the scenes who participated in this artistic section. Speaker of the Knesset, member of the Knesset, Amir Okhana will now deliver his address. My dear brothers and sisters, citizens of the state of Israel, at this moment, as night comes upon this land and darkness descends from the Mount Helmon to the Aravah, from the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea, the poignancy of the day in which our hearts were all with the memories of our heroes and the bereaved families, is still with us. And the tears of sadness over those that without whom we wouldn't have had a country, haven't dried up yet, but it is thanks to them, it is thanks to their sacrifice that this year, this evening, we will shed additional tears, tears of great joy for the fact that we have had the privilege to live in a sovereign and independent state. Soon, thousands of lights will light up the dark sky all over the country and from the darkness, a beam of light will break out, a light that Jews have dreamt out for hundreds of generations in all corners of the world, next year in Jerusalem, and we who have had the privilege to fulfill and realize this dream, we've returned to Jerusalem, and this time to never leave it again. And this light, this light has been on for 75 years now in Tel Aviv and Dimona, Kiryat Arba and Kiryat Shmona in Beresheva and in Jerusalem. And this night, tonight, the light is also on, not far from here at the Knesset, which represents all the citizens of the state of Israel, of all religions, ethnic origins, world views, and communities, and on this Independence Day, it shines to the whole world and blesses and congratulates all of us. Happy 75th anniversary, Israel. 75 years ago, our parents, the pioneers, made the desert bloom, they paved the way and built homes and we will follow in their footsteps. 75 years ago, our parents fought against bitter enemies, few against the many and against all odds with their courage, and with the spirit of their heroism, they triumphed, and we will follow in their footsteps. 75 years ago, our parents were clever enough to understand that with all the differences and disagreements between us, we will never survive without each other. We will simply not survive. And the uniting forces between us are much stronger than the forces separating us, and we will continue and follow in their footsteps. Because we have no other country except for this beautiful Israel. There's nothing like it anywhere in the world, and we have no other people except for this wonderful, multifaceted people. We have no other way to maintain this huge wonder, which is the small country. The only way to protect it is together, together because of this shared burden that created a bond between us as brothers, a journey that passes from Mount Sinai to Mount Herzl through the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert and their entry into the promised land through the heroism of the Hasmoneids and the battles of the Maccabees and through the destruction of the temple and the long exile of the persecution and the rebellion, the uprising and the Warsaw ghetto and the Fallujah in Iraq through the fighters of the undergrounds and all the way to the heroes of the IDF. The journey we embarked from different countries, from different movements with different traditions. But this entire journey had one destination and alongside our wars and our battles, there was always that prayer in our mouth. He who makes peace in Heavens, he with his mercy will bring peace to us and to his entire people of Israel and say amen. Citizens of Israel. In recent weeks, we lost four pairs of brothers and sisters in terror attacks and in disasters, Yaakov and Asher Pallai from Jerusalem, Halele and Yagel Yaniv from Mount Braha, Maya and Reena D from Ephraim who were murdered in terror attacks. May God avenge their blood and Maayan and Sahar Asor from Tiberias who were killed in the terrible disaster in the Aravah. May they all be of blessed memory. Maayan Asor wrote a short while before he got swept away in the flood. When will we understand that we are all brothers and sisters and from here from Mount Herzl on the 75th Independence Day of the State of Israel? I would like to echo his question which calls out to the skies and Heavens and I wish to pray that we all understand that we are brothers and sisters here. Leo D whom we heard in the East Coast prayer who lost in the terror attack, his daughters Maya and Reena and his beloved wife Lucy, May God avenge their death who donated her organs and gave lives to five people. He asked us after the terrible disaster he experienced such a modest request for us to raise the Israeli flag, to hoist the flag and remember the common good that it symbolizes. The Israeli flag is the flag of the miracle which is unparalleled all over the world and on this Independence Day we will all hoist proudly the Israeli flag which is the flag that belongs to all of us. May we on this Independence Day see the good virtues in our friends and not their shortcomings. May we on this Independence Day remember the bond that connects us as brothers over a journey that spans millennia, a bond in the alliance of brothers that lit our way in the past and will continue to do so in the future because the eternity of the Jewish people does not lie. Baruch hathah Hashem our God, the Lord, she hechanu ve kimanu ve higiyanu lazman azzeh. He who brought us to this time. Happy Independence Day, Israel. The speaker of the Knesset is invited to light the torch in honor of Israel's Seventy-Fifth Independence Day. I Amir O'Hana, speaker of the Knesset, son of Meir and Esther who came to Israel from Morocco in order to be part of the rebirth and the spouse of the State of Israel, the partner of Alon and the father of Eli and David. I am honored to light this torch of Israel's Seventy-Fifth Independence Day in honor of all the olim who came from all the diaspora and realized and fulfilled the dream of generations in honor of those who settled all over this country who make this land bloom in honor of the Knesset, the symbol of Israeli democracy and sovereignty which reflects this spectacular human mosaic of all Israelis in honor of these soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and those who serve in the Israeli police and the security establishment who embody together this vow. Never again and last but not least in honor of the children of Israel, the future generation. The reason why we get up in the morning and do everything we do, you should remember that it doesn't matter where you come from or who you are, it is within your power to reach whatever you want and wherever you want, even this festive occasion to this nation and for the glory of the State of Israel. Millions of men and women created this shared home which is called the State of Israel, each one in his or her unique way but special respect is due to those who came first, the pioneers, those who embarked on this journey first, to plow the first plow, who entered the first hut, who established the company, the factory organization, those that when everybody explained why not, they showed everybody how it is indeed possible. Thanks to those pioneers, the towns in Kibbutzim were established, the neighborhoods outside of the walls and the first Hebrew cities. Thanks to this pioneering spirit, we established high-tech and agri-tech and biotech and media tech and glorious establishment and trade blazing organizations were established. About 5,500 proposals reached the public committee for the torches ceremony and the committee recommended a short list of candidates to the minister responsible for the events of the 75th anniversary minister of road safety and transportation, Brigadier General in reserves, the minister chose out of them 14 men and women, few who attest to the many. I wish to invite the lighters of the torches. In the sixth day war, he was severely injured and he received a special citation for his fighting and in the 73 Yom Kippur war, he led his soldiers to a decisive victory and received a special citation for his leadership. Ever since, Victor Kahlani has always been in the most crucial points for Israel's future as just as he led his soldiers at war, he leads today thousands of teenagers and journeys following the footsteps of fighters in leadership and pioneering. Avigdor Kahlani is a hero of the state of Israel. Let the torch be lit. Thank you. I, Avigdor Kahlani, son of Sarah and Moshe Kahlani of Blessed Memory and a brother to Emmanuel Kahlani who was killed as a soldier in the 73 war in Sinai. I like this torch on the sacred day in honor of the founders of this country who gave us a place to be born in in honor of the fighters of the Holocaust that the color of the yellow patch we turned it into the color of the special citation of war heroes in honor of my courageous friends who paid with their lives and gave us life. My dear friends, those who became disabled following their IDF service who continue to carry with pain their war scares in honor of the bereaved families that we cannot help sage their pain in honor of my country that I love so much my Jewish and democratic country that I was born into your light. I swear to you today we all swear to you. Thank you to the IDF soldiers who guard us. To the glory of the state of Israel. Long live the state of Israel. Alright, this is Sivan Yari who has been a guest here on I-24 News. Sivan is the founder and CEO of Innovation Africa. It was founded after Sivan went to Madagascar 20 years ago as an employee of an international corporation and seeing how far African children had to go to bring water to their family. She decided to start an organization that would help bring Israeli technology to remote African villages. I've blessed memory who passed away only a few days ago and never knew that I would be standing here this evening. Father, I hope you're here with us in that you're just as excited as I am. I light this torch in honor of the vision of Herzl in which the country of the Jews reaches out and helps the continent of Africa in honor of Israeli innovation which saves lives which brings so much goodness to this world and thanks to it millions of people in Africa today see light and can drink clean water for the first time. And in honor of all the citizens of Israel who see such a proactive and innovative country which reaches out and helps those who are weaker than us in the most distant and most difficult places in the world with such great willpower and devotion and love and in honor of the privilege and honor to do all that with great pride under the flag of Israel. And for the glory of the state of Israel. Well the next candlelighter is Dr. Hittam Hussein. She is a specialist in internal medicine and infection diseases at the Rambam hospital in Haifa. She was served as a senior physician in the infectious disease units. She was appointed to coordinate the field of infection control at the hospital and it's also worth my reminder of how many Israeli Arabs are deeply involved in Israel's health establishment. Anybody who's ever gone to an Israeli hospital or clinic or in pharmacy knows that. Let's listen to Dr. Hittam Hussein. Let's listen to Dr. Hittam Hussein. I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I He survived the Holocaust and heal the victim that year. Rosa 3rd we lay this torch in honor of our colleagues, all the workers out, the help care system the love of friends to take care of all the patients with humanity and devotion in honor of those who do everything they can to save lives, the rescue and relief forces, the hospital staff and faculty, the soldiers in the medical court, the nurses and the human bond and connection between patients and caregiver, which is irreplaceable. In honor of my daughters, Tala and Kala, in honor of the women of the Druze community, in honor of all women in Israel who dare to dream and pursue their dreams, there is no mountain top you cannot conquer, and there is no glass ceiling that you cannot shatter. In honor of the younger generation of doctors who are educated to lead professional medicine out of compassion and love of mankind in honor of the sanctity of human lives, do me a favor, take care and protect your lives and for the glory of the state of Israel. Before 2500 years, the Prophet... Very Ben Sadon, the next candlelighter, is born in the Netherlands, an immigrant to Israel. She started with her husband, Erez, a winery, be called the Tura winery, which has become one of the most high quality boutique wineries in Israel. It's won many international awards. And it really is, this award is meant as an honor to the entire wine industry in Israel, something which is relatively new in this country, but has won international renown and restored what had been a tradition in Israel, in the ancient land of Israel, has brought it back to the modern state of Israel. I'm from Rechelim, light this torch in honor of all the farmers throughout this country, who wake up every morning before the sun shines, who plant with tears and harvest with joy to my brothers and sister, the people of Judea and Samaria, who settle this country with love and with devotion and sacrifice in honor of the wine industry, which brings so much respect and honor to the state of Israel and in honor of Israeli wine, which is the best in the world, which opens and brings happiness, brings hearts together and brings us together in honor of you, Erez, my beloved partner for this nation and for the glory of the state of Israel. The next torchlighter is someone who's gonna be very familiar to viewers of I-24 News, the Canadian, Israeli philanthropist and businessman, Sylvan Adams, who immigrated here in 2015 from Canada, who has supported many educational projects, many medical projects throughout the country. He is also the founder of the annual Nefesh Ben Nefesh Ben Etzion, or Builders of Zion Prize, which is given to outstanding immigrants to Israel each year. And of course, he's got a particular passion for sports. He's brought the Giro d'Italia bicycle race to Israel and has also brought a Formula One exhibition to Israel, Sylvan Adams. I, Sylvan Adams, son of Annie and Marcel Adams of Blessed Memory, light this torch in honor of my parents who survived the Holocaust, fought in the War of Independence and built in you a good and full life. In honor of our wonderful country and the amazing people who live here, who turn this place into the best place in the world. Our place, even if we argue, we are united. In honor of the people who tell the whole world the real and unbelievable story about the land of Israel, a happy, tolerant, pluralistic country with good and warm people whom I love so much. I chose to live here in the homeland of the Jewish people, the homeland that belongs to all of us. Israelis and diaspora Jews, we are all one people. I'm Israel Chai, I'm proud to be an Israeli, and for the glory of the state of Israel. Sylvan Adams, light this torch. The next torchlighter is Nina Avidar Wiener. She was born in Egypt actually and came to Israel via France in the 1950s. She volunteered to work at the Aliyah youth camps and met many young people coming from disadvantaged circumstances. She then did later on, together with support from the Jewish philanthropist Edmund Safra, started a new organization, the Israel Scholarship Education Foundation, which provides scholarships for outstanding students from disadvantaged circumstances to give them the opportunities to work, to study and realize the potential. I, Nina, daughter of Reuven Pur-Meter and Yonah from the Papo family, a family of halutzim pioneers from Rishon Lezion, light this torch in honor of the children living in the periphery in Israel. Diamonds in the desert, that all that they need is someone who will believe in them and will give them some support in honor of the state of Israel, a country that was built on miracles that can and should be the additional miracle of these children. In honor of all those who partnered the path of this vision, which is a vision of 46 years, and in honor of over 8,000 ISAF graduates, the International Foundation for Education, all over Israel, early on, they were my children, and then they became my friends, my partners, and today, they are my teachers. I am so proud of you, all of you, and for the glory of the state of Israel. Shalom Asiag! The next torchlighter is one of Israel's most popular entertainers, Shalom Asiag is a very popular comic actor, producer, screenwriter. He is someone who has made a mark on Israel, especially on Israeli television in recent years. He's the child of Moroccan immigrants to Israel and growing up in the periphery town of Tirata-Karmel, and he's drawn a lot on his Moroccan heritage in his work and in his comedy, and he's being honored today, is really the representative of the Israeli cultural and entertainment community. Shalom Asiag! I, Shalom, son of Alice and Mahlouf Max Asiag, a blessed memory, light this torch in honor of my parents who came to Israel, made a life from Morocco, and they established such a glorious family in a warm and loving home. We had nothing but we had so much, so many values, warmth and love, they taught us to love and accept every person in honor of Tirata-Karmel, which will forever be my home in all the towns, cities and neighborhoods. Even if they call you the periphery, don't listen to them. You are the heart of this country. You can do everything you want. In honor of the world of culture, which tells, plays music, dances, and creates the Israeli mosaic, our most important role, especially today, is to unite and bring together all the hearts. We are all brothers and sisters. Who will do it, if not us, in honor of the humor that has brought me so far, which heals pain with love? Don't be angry, don't hate. Laugh, laugh at yourselves, that will only do you good and for the glory of the state of Israel. The next torch slider, really representing Israel's young people, is Ovec Rishon. She actually became known in the Israeli media through stories of her being bullied in school. She raised and spoke out against the phenomena of bullying and harassment in school. She formed a program, which is called the Boycott Patrol, in which she and her peers help each other and help other children who are going through the bullying experience. And Ovec here, representing usually, is at least one torch slider that represents Israel's young generation, and she is here, representing them. Ovec, doctor of Iqsqaq and Ziva Rishon, light this torch in honor of us, in honor of all the boys and girls who are still in or were in this abyss called ostracizing, transparent kids who feel that they're alone in the world, who don't have a ground beneath their feet, who are not invited, that nobody answers their phone calls. It's not your fault. It's not our fault. You are all wonderful, and I embrace you all. Listen to these applause. Everybody embraces you. In honor of the girls and boys who courageously stand and face the most popular children and do not ostracize and boycott other children, you are heroes. You save lives. In honor of the families, you, which remind us in our most difficult times that we are worthy, that we are loved. Without my family, I wouldn't have been here now. I love you all. Stay strong. One day, you will reach from this place to great things. I promise you. Don't let anyone turn out your fire and for the glory of the state of Israel. The next torchlighter is Yehudit Nagosa. She is the head of the program Opportunity for Change, which is a preparatory program on Kibbutz and the Shloshah that gives boys who have been discounted for military service, either because they have a criminal record as a minor or they have some social or other problems. It gives them a second chance to qualify for the military draft. These kind of pre-military programs are common in Israel, but this is special in that it gives young boys a second chance. I, Yehudit, daughter of Tayo Uvany Nagosa Picado from Kyriat Malachi, I light this torch in honor of my father, who was an Aliya activist in the prisoner of Zion, from whom I receive the values of Zionism and the love for this country, in honor of my mother, my greatest inspiration and my greatest teacher, and in honor of my entire community, Antae Abate Wagenote Tazi Ediraskoy Bananta Hailino. In honor of all the courageous young men and women among them the graduates and the students of the opportunity to change pre-military academy, who break boundaries, both external and internal, and dare to imagine a better future in honor of the faith, the hope, and the equal opportunity that each and every one of us deserves. In honor of you, Avera Mangistu and all the POWs and the missing in action, the people of Israel do not forget its sons and daughters and for the glory of the state of Israel. The next torch sliders, among them Ruit Amichai, Ruit Amichai is here as a representative of the group Hashomerah Adash. That is a group that is basically set up to provide more security and protection for Israelis living in communities in the south of the, primarily in the south of the country that had been created by the Israeli government primarily in the south of the country that had been unfortunately afflicted by crime and other problems, and she is here representing them. The Hashomerah Adash primarily assists the farmers in the south of the country, helping them provide more security. The people's struggle and the people's struggle. Ten thousand farmers are responsible for the farmers in every region of the country in the land and in the name of the rivers and the mountains. Hashomerah Adash also provides a protective service that connects the farmers to the people, to the security and to the environmental protection of the people. Ruit Amichai, in the 17th anniversary of the revolution that in the last year, has been in the field of agriculture for more than three years. The revolution in the field of agriculture of the region. Ruit and his friends from the Hashomerah Adash are supporting everything that is going on in the north of the country that is serving Israel. The struggle is over! In honor of tens of thousands of volunteers, Ab Hashomerah Adash, which include teenagers, adolescents from throughout the Israeli spectrum, who work together with love and with respect. We understand the importance of the mission and we are willing to take it upon ourselves. The Zionist story has just begun. In honor of young agriculture that does Zionism in the 21st century and in honor of the old-time farmers who established this country, people of land and of action, the beautiful land of Israel. And in your honor, Salah, in honor of my beloved family, I have 13 children, 51 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren in honor of my village, Tula, of the farmers who work all over Galilee in this entire land, you shall eat what you grow and then you grow and then you shall be happy in honor of our redemption. As it is said, our legs were at the gates to Jerusalem, built Jerusalem as a city that has been joined together because this is where all the tribes went. And for the glory of the fate of Israel. He was lighting the torch together with Reut Amichai from the Hashomer, the Akhadaesh organization. The next torchlighter is anonymous. His identity is being concealed because he is a member of the Duv-Devon unit of the IDF which operates undercover, primarily in Palestinian areas in the West Bank. For anyone who watches the TV show, Fauda, you can get some idea of what the soldiers of Duv-Devon do in their missions. It's one of the elite units of the IDF and its members are kept anonymous because they often work undercover. I, the commander of the Duv-Devon unit, a proud son of my parents who made the Liyah at a young age in order to build their home in the land of Israel like this torch in honor of the heroes, the IDF soldiers and commanders. Conscripts, career officers and in reserve duty, many generations have dreamt and you fulfilled the dream in honor of my injured brothers and sisters, those who have been injured in body and soul who will never leave the battlefields behind them and in honor of our beloved bereaved families, there are no words that can express the depth of the bond and the intensity of the commitment in honor of the olive uniform that do not distinguish between opinions and views, the uniform of unity, friendship and a common mission to defend what we had built here. In honor of my wife and children and all the children of career officers that from the moment they are born are mobilized and contribute to the security effort and embrace at night time a phone call or a drawing they draw for their father and mother serving in the army, it is for you and thanks to your power that we fight, I love you and for the glory of the state of Israel. This torchlighter will be recognizable to any sports fan here in Israel and many sports fans abroad. David Blatt was an American born, a Jew played in the Makhabi games in Israel then later came and he played professionally in the Israeli basketball league and he really made his name as a coach as a coach leading Israeli teams like Makhabi Tel Aviv to European championships he won multiple championships coaching different teams in Europe and in Russia and yes he even coached LeBron James for a season in the NBA at the Cleveland Cavaliers David Blatt unfortunately in recent years has been stricken with multiple sclerosis and David Blatt being on it this evening. I'm very emotional, I feel very emotional, I'm odd. Look at this people, look at this wonderful team. I David, son of Lillian and William Blatt of blessed memory light this torch in honor of the state of Israel which adopted me when I came here as a new immigrant a new Ole, it gave me a home and opened to me the option to establish a loyal and proud Israeli family. I am grateful for that in honor of the wonderful and warm family of Israeli sports that gave me the option to transcend boundaries and hearts together to make an impact to educate and to lead people and help them be the best versions of themselves in honor of my new brothers and sisters who deal with multiple sclerosis we know every day is a struggle every day is a gift we will never give up and for the glory of the state of Israel 12 torches symbolizing the 12 tribes 12 beacons and torches of light and when this light emanates from here from Mount Herbal, you tell me who won't come to the ceremony plaza we invite the flag bearers that carry the senior IDF units we have officers and COs from all IDF corps participating in this parade Israeli police, the prison service the firefighting brigade and the border police which celebrates its 70th anniversary the flag bearers of the border police raise the flag with 70 which symbolizes a glorious legacy of heroism and commanders and volunteers reservists who serve as a protective wall defending this country the flag bearers of the security establishment receive the insignia and the flags for safekeeping until the next Independence Day State of Israel, Knesset Guard and those who received outstanding awards from Israel's president on Independence Day whenever new pioneering points were established in far off distant places the Israeli flag with the teams of flag bearers the Knesset Guard and the recipients of the outstanding award from the president entered our hearts and became Israeli classics and in their own words and on Kola Kavod, kudos performers, 350 dancers from Susbe Mahol from Medin under the management of Galit and Roika Biri wow I'd also like to thank the Bima National Theater I'd like to thank Merkaza Asbarra Electra Target Company for producing this show and I would like to thank Eldar Gore Groisman who directed and edited this ceremony the transfer of the main flag ceremony the Israel flag and the idea flag and it will be passed on from the home front command that had it for safekeeping this past year to the Air Force that will have them until next year Atikva Atikva, the national anthem please be seated that brings to an end Israel's 75th Independence Day opening day celebration there's just a little bit of military pop to go then there'll be fireworks later with me still in the studio is Ali Hockenberg the horror dancing in the middle of the hour yes the horror dancing a little less informal than usual we see the representatives of all of Israel's military and security forces as they leave the ceremony Ali, I just want to just a couple of notes this ceremony came at a time of controversy which we've discussed but none of that was here tonight there was some brief references in the remarks made by the pre-taped remarks of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the live remarks by Kinesis speaker Amir Ohana relative to the mentioning the divisiveness that we have in Israeli society but saying that there's more that unites Israeli society than divides it and of course one of these is the traditions of Independence Day which for those that watch them and I've watched them for a few decades now and you so have you know that they follow a certain script I would say this was a maybe slightly more modest ceremony I remember the 50th anniversary of Israel was a much more bigger flamboyant production with the very top entertainers of Israel even some criticism about some of the money that were paid this was I would say a more modest ceremony are you in a form ceremony right absolutely and maybe more fitting certainly more fitting for the time yes I agree very much in keeping the lines of this ceremony and we've been speaking before before it began about the potential disruptions or rather the fears of disruptions at its war very much present during Memorial Day events we need to say the war fears that there'll be also kind of disruptions during this ceremony was a concerns about going in yeah so that was a smooth sale in this respect and yes if it wasn't for the context of the past few months I wouldn't say that anyone could point out anything much much so the only time this ceremony went off script which I think was one of the highlights was when Eliyau Salah one of the torch liners 91 years old in Kyrgyzstan decided to give us a little solo on a some Putean traditional prayer singing the top of his lungs but that also and but I should say that also is almost a tradition yes that would have a tradition yes there's one person that decides they're going to use that time on the stage and improvise I will say for me another highlight certainly we're seeing David Blatt the legendary Israeli basketball player and coach also coached in the the NBA who's been afflicted in the last few years by multiple sclerosis seeing him up he was very emotional in fact at one point in the dancing that the torch liners kind of doing prompt to in the musical section I saw David Blatt and Eliyahu Salah the 91 dancing together and that that was a moving moment another thing I should note by the way in recent years there has been a tradition to have a representative of the diaspora correct it's not everybody felt was appropriate they did not have to see it but we did have two ish because we had two Anglo immigrants to Israel prominent ones among the torch liners David Blatt of course American born Adonis he went from two Dairies in the name of the Knesset he created all the citizens of Israel and in the name of the Knesset this is actually the Knesset the parliament is the host of this event right the speaker of the Knesset is signaling the end of it and Benny Gant already making his way out you can see him with the back there that's right talking about the U.S. because I mentioned that David Blatt, American immigrant to Israel was among the torch liners Sylvan Adams a fairly recent immigrant from Canada among the torch liners we saw also the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides Tom Nides at the front row and Benny Gant is essentially the top of position representative at the ceremony since Eilipi the leader of the biggest position party that had not to show up in protest what is happening and yeah we're talking about this unique mosaic of torch liners it always always leaves you with a smile ear to ear on the beautiful beautiful people doing amazing things here in this country traditional whore dancing traditionally untraditional with that we're going to end our broadcast I want to thank Ellie Hockenberg joining me happy independence day now we took a break for a couple of hours as we said from the controversies that's been dividing the country in recent months let's get back to those now because there was a demonstration this evening relating to the judicial reforms and let's go to our Pia Kloschandler is there what is this scene there on the streets of Tel Aviv where people are also fighting for a party for independence day right Calib it's a party but it's also a protest it's a celebration of Israel's anniversary independence day but it's also a protest against the judicial overall and there are tens of thousands of people here brandishing the Israeli flag what they call the democratic flag of the state of Israel and it's quite a solid atmosphere here a lot of reading of excerpts of the declaration of the independence of the state of Israel which was proclaimed by the Zaken the old man the founding father of the state of Israel David Ben-Gurion 75 years ago in which he guaranteed the equality of rights social and political for all Israeli citizens without any distinctions of race, gender, or religion and Amit Katz our cameraman is going to show you there are indeed probably over 100,000 people here two former chief of staff spoke there are singers singing quite sad songs because this celebration is mod by the fear many of the protesters that their democracy the democracy of their state is in danger and thus they're here in quite a solemn atmosphere I would say which is very distinct from the protest that we've seen throughout the past four months in which people were shouting democracy democracy this time it's a different character the protest got out right and it's certainly a much different gathering than we usually see on Independence Day Eve in Tel Aviv thank you for that Pierre now let's go to some of the other days of the news there was a terror incident on this memorial day with an Israeli man shot and moderately wounded after being fired on from a passing car on the road between the Ofrin Shiloh settlements in the northern west bank the idea is still searching for the attacker on the eve of memorial day in Jerusalem's machanayahuda market which left eight people injured kind of freedmen as more in this report another terror attack in the heart of the Israeli capital but this time on one of the most sensitive days of the year the eve of Israel's memorial day eight injured on Monday afternoon in a car ramming attack next to the machanayahuda market in Jerusalem's center the terrorist shot dead by an armed civilian wounded taken to nearby hospitals for treatment the Israeli prime minister took to the podium at one memorial ceremony just moments after the attack addressing the symbolism of the events on this day moments ago not far from here there was another attempt to murder Israelis this terror attack in this place in this moment reminds us that Israel was attained with great agony the terrorist has been identified as Khatam Najma a thirty nine old resident of Bait Zafafa in southern Jerusalem with an Israeli ID and though he acted on affiliated the Hamas terror group publicly praised the attack calling it heroic and what they've also done and I see this in different social media groups is immediately trying to leverage this attack they're clearly inciting and trying to generate more of these types of attacks against Israelis but as for the special significance of Monday's attack no special or unique importance to this day or another if they are succeeding in in operating or activating terror attack and causing causalities to Israelis in such a day as today so they have a sort of an added value in their eyes as Israeli police continue to collect evidence on the scene and beyond Palestinian sources report that the IDF have already entered the terrorist home this is the latest attack in an ongoing wave of violence since the start of the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan and stay with us still to come on the broadcast we'll see how the United Nations Security Council spent Israel Memorial Day what else discussing the Palestinian issue Organism that pulsates through millennia listen to it smell it taste it experience the Holy Land like never before Holy Land Uncovered every Sunday only on I-24 News now you can listen to I-24 News anywhere anytime for free I-24 News Radio is the audio live stream of the television network with world headlines every 30 minutes starting from 7 a.m. tune in for top news and magazines editions while in the car in your office join us in the next episode of I-24 News Radio we'll come back to this special broadcast on I-24 News on Israel's Independence Day Eve now when Israel was mourning its dead from wars and terror attacks earlier on this memorial day I-24 News on Israel's independence day Eve now when Israel was mourning its dead from wars and terror attacks earlier on this memorial day the United Nations Security Council was holding its monthly discussion on the Palestinian issue Israel had asked Russia in its role as the current President of the Council to shift the date of day's discussion but that request was requested well here's what is really ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan had to say about that the decision to nonetheless hold this debate on today of all days only further proves what Israelis already know and feel about this biased organization Mr. President what would you do if this council was convening to single out and condemn the Russian Federation and your soldiers on the 9th of May on victory day over the Nazis let's go to our senior U.S. correspondent Mike Wagenheim at the UN and Mike unfortunately perhaps it is fitting that the UN should spend Israel's memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror again debating the Palestinian issue basically did we hear anything different this time Erdan doesn't see it that way and this meeting had an added significance or even bigger microscope because Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was chairing the meeting as opposed to the Russian ambassador Russia has the presidency of the Security Council and Lavrov was in town yesterday and today and Erdan said you know what I'm going to do what so many Israelis do on Yom Zikaron on the day of remembrance I'm going to light a candle and we're going to remember the day here's Erdan in today's Security Council meeting I will take this opportunity to commemorate this past years victims of Palestinian terror and those who fell in the line of duty Yonatan Kavakuk Boaz Gol Oren Ben Iftach Noam Raz Bar Falak Ido Baruch Ronen Chanina Shalom Sofer Moti Ashkenazi Tamir Avichai Mikhail Ledigin Ariash Chopok Elie Mizrachi Nathalie Mizrachi Refael Ben Eliyau Irina Korolova Shimon Matuf Alter Shlomo Lederman Yakov Pallei Asher Pallei Asil Soaed Yagelyaniv Ilelyaniv Ilan Ghaneles Oreshkar Alessandro Parini Mayadi Reena Di Lucidi to their memory I light this candle Mr. President to honor them and may their memory be blessed I'm sorry but I refuse to spend this sacred day listening to lies and condemnation this debate disgraces the fallen and Israel will not take part in it. Thank you Mr. President