News Digest — 4/26/23
Israel Rings In 75th Independence Day With Netanyahu Address
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a televised speech on Tuesday evening (25th) as Israel closed out Remembrance Day and began celebrating its 75th Independence Day.
Israel celebrates its independence annually on the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, immediately following Remembrance Day on the fourth. This year, Remembrance Day began on the evening of April 24th and Independence Day began on the eve of the 25th.
“Dear citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu began, “the sharp transition from Remembrance Day to Independence Day is like the birth of the country, which brings both comfort and joy.”
“Thanks to the sacrifices of our fallen, we can all celebrate now as a free people in our country. For 75 years we have been doing this, as brothers and sisters.”
“Just as the Zionist pioneers sang: ‘Look brothers, look! Let us hasten our step – Fly, brothers, fly to the land of our inheritance!’”
“We are brothers,” the prime minister said, likely referencing the recent domestic tensions sparked by the government’s judicial reforms. “We don’t always agree on everything, sometimes we argue passionately. But the mutual guarantee of brotherhood between us is strong.”
“We are building up the strength of our country together, one level at a time,” he continued.
“This is the true meaning of independence – to be rooted in the soil. To be responsible for our destiny. To establish a strong defense force to repel the threats of our enemies. To foster a magnificent society, a thriving economy, advanced technology and diverse culture. To bring peace with the Arab nations.”
“We brought historic peace agreements in the past, and with God’s help, we will further expand the circle of peace.”
“On Independence Day, we all unite around the Israeli flag with a sense of pride for what we have achieved.”
“At the same time, let’s look ahead: We have a lot more to accomplish together. We have a lot to do to establish our beloved country – as a rising world power – and as the eternal homeland of the people of Israel.”
“Happy Independence Day, Israel!”
Torch-Lighting Ceremony For Israel’s 75th Independence Day At Mount Herzl
The annual Independence Day Torch-lighting ceremony began Tuesday evening (25th) at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
The ceremony marks the transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day.
This year, Israel is celebrating its 75th Independence Day, its rebirth as a sovereign state in its historic Jewish homeland.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana officiated at the ceremony of the Twelve Torches that were lit. Each of the torches symbolizes one of the Twelve Tribes of ancient Israel. The torchlighters, 12 different individuals, were chosen for their outstanding achievements and contributions to Israeli society.
Rabbi Leo Dee, whose wife and daughters were murdered in a terrorist shooting attack in the Jordan Valley during Passover, began the ceremony by reciting the traditional Yizkor mourner’s prayer.
The organizers of the ceremony were well prepared for any disruptions by demonstrators protesting the government’s planned judicial reforms, and had prepared an announcement to be broadcast to attendees if this occurred.
(isnn.com)
Israel Defense Forces Counted Among Many Miracles As Israel Turns 75 – Chris Mitchell
JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel is celebrating its 75th Independence Day celebration on Wednesday (26th), an achievement that likely would not have happened without a resilient military. From its small beginnings, Israel’s fighting force has developed into one of the world’s best.
When David Ben-Gurion announced the birth of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, six surrounding Arab nations attacked the newborn country within hours.
CBN News interviewed Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus about the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from the beginning in 1948 to today.
“Then it was small units of very patriotic people, some of them Holocaust survivors, who just came off the boat from Europe and put on IDF uniforms, joined the battle and defended Israel in 1948 against six Arab armies,” Conricus said.
He has a key perspective, having served in the IDF more than 24 years, with the last four as its chief international spokesman.
From that initial war that threatened its early existence, the tiny young nation faced war again in 1967 and in 1973, when Israel’s enemies sought to annihilate the country.
“Outnumbered and outgunned,” Conricus said, “Israel still gained the upper hand.”
“I would say that our biggest advantage – and what has allowed Israel to be victorious on the battlefield and off the battlefield to defeat advancing Arab armies at a ratio of one to ten – has been the excellent men and women serving in the IDF. This was at the heart of those achievements,” he said.
He added: “It was never about the stuff – never about the planes, the tanks, the weapons. It was about the human spirit. It was about their commitment to the mission and their absolute understanding that when they took back, they could see home.”
Conricus credits Israeli soldiers who realize that they are both the front and the last line of defense.
“They know that their parents, their families, their communities rely on them and therefore they do amazing achievements on the battlefield, knowing that if they fail, the country is in danger.”
The veteran Military analyst believes Israel likely faces the world’s greatest diversity of military threats.
“On the lower end, Israel today has to deal with low intensity threats like rock throwers, knife stabbers, and car ramming attacks… and on the higher end of the spectrum, it has to be able to deal with intercontinental ballistic missiles – perhaps in the very imminent future – with nuclear warheads flying in from Iran. It has to be able to deal with everything in between, including simultaneous attacks on different fronts at the same time,” he explained.
As the chief spokesman for the IDF for years, Conricus knows that Israel remains on the front line of the media battle as well.
“What I found most challenging, was so many times I felt – and I can back this up with numbers and details – that Israel is held to almost impossible standards. No other military in the world is under such scrutiny and under such relentless international interest and reporting, and so many times what international coverage gets wrong is chronology of events, what happened first and second, and what was the cause and effect,” he said.
He continued, “So many times the international media gets their reporting all mixed up saying Israel attacked Gaza, killing Palestinians, without saying that they did it in response to rockets that were fired at Israeli civilians first. The rockets are not even mentioned. This robs the viewers and media consumers of the real context of the complexity of the story and the threats that Israel faces.”
As Israel continues to face threats to its existence, Conricus hopes today’s IDF can capture the spirit of those early pioneers: “To go back to our roots of 1948 and even before that, to look at the spirit – the daring spirit of the IDF, and remind ourselves of that spirit, and the kind of ability that takes calculated risks, to strike preemptively and not wait for the enemy to take the initiative. I believe we need to take the battle to the enemy and to do daring, brave and creative things – I think, that is what is needed on all fronts against all of our enemies.”
And what is the message for Israelis and Israel’s global adversaries? The message should be that Israel is strong, focused, has the capabilities, and most importantly, the will to safeguard itself and defend itself both on Independence Day 75, and in the future.
(cbn.com)
Israel’s Erdan Lights Candles, Reads Terror Victims Names At UN, Leaves In Protest
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan, on Monday (24th) in New York lit a large white memorial candle, then he read out 32 names of those killed by Palestinian violence in the last year; citizens, foreigners, soldiers and police.
“I light this candle to honor them and may their memories be blessed,” the ambassador said.
Then he stood up and walked out of the UN Security Council to protest its decision to conduct its monthly debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on his country’s Remembrance Day for its fallen soldiers and terror victims.
“I refuse to take part in this absurd farce… I refuse to spend this sacred day listening to lies and condemnations. This debate disgraces the fallen, and Israel will not take part in it,” he stated.
Erdan had attempted to sway Russia, which holds this month’s rotating UNSC Presidency, to reschedule the debate for another day. Russia refused and instead sent its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to chair it.
“Today’s debate has crossed all lines,” Erdan told the UNSC when he addressed the council. “Not only am I both appalled and outraged to the very depths of my soul, but I am sad – very, very, sad.”
“Today is one of the most sacred days of the year” for Israel which pauses to commemorate those lost to violence and who “paid the ultimate price while defending the Jewish homeland.”
He explained how sirens ring out both at night and in the morning, bringing all activity – even traffic – to a grinding halt so that every Israeli can observe two minutes of solemn silence.
“All restaurants, cafes, and shops shut down, while military cemeteries are filled with hundreds of thousands of visitors paying their respects. Television programming is dedicated solely to films and reels mourning those who fell, while an entire channel runs the names of every single fallen hero.,” Erdan said.
“This day holds more sanctity to Israelis than almost any other day of the year,” Erdan said. “Yet while Israelis mourn, this Council – as usual – will hear more blatant lies condemning the State of Israel and will falsely paint it as the root of all the region’s problems. This could not be further from the truth,” he added.
Turning to Lavrov, he asked him what Russia would do if the UNSC met to condemn Russia and its soldiers on the day dedicated to marking its World War II victory over the Nazis.
“The Council has chosen to focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than focusing on the danger to the region and the globe from Iranian terrorism and its pursuit of a nuclear program,” Erdan added.
Massive Mural In Honor Of Israel’s 75th Independence Day To Be Displayed At Ben Gurion Airport
A massive mural that depicts the 4,000-year history of the Jewish people was unveiled in Mexico Sunday (23rd) and will soon decorate the arrivals hall at Ben-Gurion International Airport.
The Mural – 144.3 feet long and 16.4 feet high – was painted by Mexican artist Julio Carrasco Breton in honor of Israel’s 75th year of independence as part of an initiative that began about a year ago with the blessing of President Isaac Herzog.
It was unveiled at an event attended by Foreign Minister of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, and Isaac Assa, president and founder of the Israel Latin American Network (ILAN), and other senior government officials and heads of the Jewish community.
“Am Yisrael Chai” tells the history of the Jewish people from the creation of the first man to the establishment of the State of Israel. It includes depictions of the creation of the people of Israel, the forefathers, the Exodus from Egypt, the Temple, the prophets and monarchies, Spain, Hasidism, Zionism, the Holocaust and the early immigration to pre-state Israel.
Ebrard called the mural “historic” because “not only does it tell the extraordinary story of four thousand years of the history of the Jewish people, but it also synthesizes the relation between the Mexican people, the Jewish Mexican community and the people of Israel.”
Assa, in turn, said, “The people of Israel have come a long way over the generations, the Jewish people have contributed values of morality and social solidarity and innovation to all humanity. We are preparing for a complex logistical operation to bring the mural to Israel. Whoever enters Israel will be able to see with his own eyes the story of history, the future and the significant contribution of the Jewish people and the State of Israel to the family of nations.”
