The Jewish Voice | MAY 5, 2017

Page 1

CUNY's Platform for Terror Sympathizer Linda Sarsour Read More on Page 19 May 5, 2017 | 9 Iyyar 5777

Vol. 14, Iss. 17

www.JewishVoiceNY.com

$1

Israel Celebrates Yom Ha’atzmaut Amid Optimism; F-35 Jets Featured at Air Show

Spectators gathered across the country to watch the Israeli Airforce display its new F-35 stealth fighter jets, along with other member of the IAF fleet, for an Independence Day flyover. The F-35s, made by US-based Lockheed Martin, were the highlight of the show, which marked 69 years of Israeli independence.

By: Fern Sidman

A

t Har Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on Monday evening, a torch lighting ceremony was held that opened the stream of events celebrating Israel’s 69th birthday. Also known as Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut), the annual high spirited celebration traditionally attracts a seemingly infinite number of people from across Israel and beyond. Each year, Israel commemorates Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut on back to back days on the 4th and 5th days of the Hebrew month of Iyar. Yom HaZikaron is a somber day of reflection and an emo-

tionally charged commemoration of its brave citizens and volunteers who lost their lives in the line of duty; fighting to the defend the Jewish state and its eternal values from an onslaught of enemies. Yom Ha’atzmaut, on the other hand, is a exceptionally joyous event that is marked by a party atmosphere as it is ushered in only minutes after the conclusion of Yom HaZikaron. Speaking at the Yom Ha’atzmaut torch lighting event was Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu . “Every year the country gets stronger, advances and strengthens its status as a clear world power. Its accomplishments are great in the fields of security, economics, foreign relations, technology, science, culture, and every other

field.” “To youth among us, independence may be perceived as something natural; I say that Israeli independence is not a free gift. Generations of Jews were in exile and we have a home. We are pushing the State of Israel to new heights, and the accomplishments of the past give us great hope for the future,” he said, according to an INN report. Israelis must preserve national unity despite internal tensions and hatred, said Yuli Edelstein, the speaker of the country's parliament, at the ceremony. "Not everything in our lives is Right or Left," said Edelstein. "Not every right-winger is a rightist fascist, and not every left-winger is a leftist traitor.

If we continue down this unacceptable path, we will lead ourselves to factionalism and bring destruction on ourselves."

“Every year the country gets stronger, advances and strengthens its status as a clear world power” – Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu According to an i24 News report, the speaker dedicated the bulk of his statements to Jerusalem, with 2017 being the 50th anniversary of Israeli sovereignty over the entire city. "This year, all of us, all of us, are Jerusalem!"

he asserted. "Jerusalem is the source of the power and spirit of this people," said Edelstein. "Therefore, today we must preserve the unity of Jerusalem, but no less – we must preserve the unity of Israel." Among those who participated in the ceremonial torch lighting were, for the first time, two Americans representing the Jewish diaspora. Rabbi Marvin Hier, who delivered remarks at President Donald Trump's inauguration, and Michael Steinhardt, one of the founders of the Taglit-Birthright program.

Read More on Page 15


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
The Jewish Voice | MAY 5, 2017 by Mike Kurov - Issuu