Yom Hazikaron

Held on 27th April - 28th April, 2020

Yom Hazikaron is a day of commemoration dedicated to the memory of 22,684 soldiers killed in the line of duty and 3,971 civilian terror victims. The day is a memorial and a day of paying honour to all the servicemen and women who gave their lives for the achievement of the country's independence and its continued existence. It is a day of collective and personal anguish mingled with awe and honour for the fallen. The day is also known as ‘Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day’. It is Israel's official Memorial Day and is devoted totally to the memory of those who gave their lives for the achievement of the country's independence and its continued existence.

History

Palestine, a former country has been a source of conflict for the Arab and Jews. Both the communities have been laying their claim on Palestine. To solve this conflict, the United Nations adopted a resolution on 29th November 1947. Under the resolution ‘United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine’, the territory of Palestine would be divided into 2 states, one for Jews and one for Arabs, with the Jerusalem-Bethlehem area being under special international protection, administered by the United Nations. However, the Arabs were dissatisfied with certain policies under the resolution. Both the communities wanted control of strategic positions in the region. Arabs, also contended that majority of the Palestine population was inhabited by Non-Jews. This resolution became a bone of contention and soon violence broke out. This resulted in murders, reprisals and counter-reprisals conducted by both sides. This conflict was called as ‘The 1947–1948 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine’. It lasted from 30 November 1947, the date of the United Nations vote in favour of the termination of the British Mandate of Palestine and the UN Partition Plan, to the termination of the British Mandate itself on 14 May 1948. In December 1947 and January 1948 an estimated nearly 1000 people were killed and 2000 injured. By the end of March, the figure had risen to 2,000 dead and 4,000 wounded. These figures correspond to an average of more than 100 deaths and 200 casualties per week in a population of 2,000,000.

The conflict was further fuelled by the British Mandate for Palestine. It was created by the League of Nations for the purpose of “establishing in Palestine a national home for the Jewish people” following World War II. The mandate was about to end on May 14, 1948 with a provisional government taking charge from the moment of the termination of the Mandate on May 15th. On May 14th, 1948, one day before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine, Israel declared its independence and sovereignty on the portion partitioned as per the resolution. As a result the conflict took the form of an outright war between both communities. Four wars were fought between the Arab nations and Israel; War of Independence (1948), Sinai War (1956), Six Day War (1967) and Yom Kippur War (1973). Israel won all the four wars but not without the sacrifice of those who fought bravely in the war.

As a mark of respect and honour towards those who lost their lives in battle for the creation of the State of Israel and all those soldiers who died subsequently defending the State of Israel, the Israeli Knesset (Israel's legislature) established the 4th of Iyar of Hebrew calendar, the day preceding Yom Ha-Atzmaut, as a Memorial Day for soldiers. Yom HaZikaron was originally established to remember those who fell in the many wars that Israel had to endure at the hands of the Arabs. Now, it not only includes those in the IDF (Israel's Defence Forces) but also the people who have fallen victim to Arab terrorists. From then onwards, remembrance for those who have sacrificed to help create and maintain the state of Israel has become a tradition. The First memorial day was celebrated on Israel's First Independence Day (1949) and the same arrangement was made the following year (1950). Observing both the occasions on the same day proved difficult both logistically and emotionally. So in 1951, following the recommendation of a public commission, the memorial day was moved one day back. This arrangement was enacted as a law in 1963.

Events and Activities

Yom Ha-Zikaron is widely observed throughout all nooks and corners of Israel with no exceptions as most of the population has relatives, acquaintances or close friends who have died defending the country. Throughout the entire day, beginning at sunset, as per the Jewish lunar calendar, all places of entertainment are closed by law including shops, restaurants, movie theatres etc. The radio and television stations play programs about Israel's wars and show programming that convey the sombre mood of the day.

The most recognised commemoration on this day, is an ‘Air Raid Siren’. It is played twice, the First Siren marks the beginning of Memorial Day and the Second Siren is sounded immediately prior to the public recitation of prayers in military cemeteries. The moment the siren is hear all activities, including traffic, come to a halt. People get out of their cars, even in the middle of otherwise busy highways and stand in respect for the sacrifice of those who died defending Israel.

Yom Hazikaron Ceremony is another major observance. Many such public ceremonies are held throughout Israel. Special readings and poems are often recited. There is a national ceremony at the military cemetery on Mt. Herzl, where many of Israel's leaders and soldiers are buried. Many schools and public buildings have memorial corners with memorials to those from their community who died in Israel's wars.

Special memorial prayers, Yizkor (remembrance) and ‘El Maleh Rachamim’ are conducted for the members of the Israeli Defence Forces who died in the line of duty. These prayers are read at many of the Yom Ha-Zikaron ceremonies. Some members of the religious Zionist (national religious) community also add special prayers to the prayer service for the evening prayers on this day. Some people even perform ‘Mourners Kaddish’, which is a mourning ritual. Outside of Israel, Yom Ha-Zikaron is not widely observed, except perhaps for a short commemoration that is held prior to evening observances of Yom Ha-Atzmaut.

Alternate Names – Yom Ha ‘Zikaron, Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day, Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel's Wars, Memorial Day – Israel, Israel's Memorial Day, Israel Remembrance Day, Israeli Memorial Day (IMD), IDF Memorial Day.

Holiday Status – It is a national holiday in Israel.