Independence Day (Israel)

Yom Ha'atzmaut
יוֹם הָעַצְמָאוּת
Four aircraft fly in formation as an Israeli flag is visible facing towards the sky
Aerobatics display over Tel Aviv on Israel's 61st Independence Day, 2009
Observed byIsraelis
CelebrationsFamily gatherings, firework displays, public celebrations (barbecues, picnics, concerts, etc.), religious services
ObservancesMount Herzl memorial ceremonies, Lighting of the Twelve Torches, International Bible Contest, awarding of the Israel Prize to recipients, etc.
Date5 Iyar (Hebrew calendar)
2023 dateSunset, 25 April –
nightfall, 26 April[1]
2024 dateSunset, 13 May –
nightfall, 14 May[1]
2025 dateSunset, 30 April –
nightfall, 1 May[1]
2026 dateSunset, 21 April –
nightfall, 22 April[1]
FrequencyAnnual
Related to

Yom Ha'atzmaut (Hebrew: יוֹם הָעַצְמָאוּת, Arabic: عيد الاستقلال, romanizedʿīd al-istiqlāli, lit.'Day of Independence') is Israel's national day, commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948. It is marked by a variety of official and unofficial ceremonies and observances.

Because Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, which corresponded with the 5th of Iyar on the Hebrew calendar in that year, Yom Ha'atzmaut was originally celebrated on that date. However, to avoid Sabbath desecration, it may be commemorated one or two days before or after the 5th of Iyar if it falls too close to the Sabbath. The day preceding Israel's independence day is Yom HaZikaron, which is dedicated to the memory of fallen Israeli soldiers and Israeli civilian victims of terrorism.

In the Hebrew calendar, days begin in the evening; Yom Ha'atzmaut is observed from nightfall until the following evening of the designated day.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d "Dates for Israeli Independence Day". Hebcal.com by Danny Sadinoff and Michael J. Radwin (CC-BY-3.0). Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  2. ^ Kurzweil, Arthur (9 February 2011). The Torah For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118051832 – via Google Books.