The Jewish State prepares to commemorate their Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, veterans, and those killed by acts of terrorism throughout the nation’s history; There will be a siren at 8:00 PM IST to commence the remembrance of those who risked it all for the survival of the nation of Israel.

Monday evening will mark the beginning of Israel’s Memorial Day, or Yom HaZikaron, observance. Yom HaZikaron is a day of remembrance for the Jewish States’ fallen soldiers, veterans, and victims of terrorism. Nearly 24,000 Israeli soldiers have died since the nation was born in 1948, with numerous others being injured. Well over 3,000 Israelis have been killed from acts of terror.

Some of Israel’s major battles/wars include The War of Independence (1947-1949), The Sinai Campaign (Operation Kadesh – 1956), The Six-Day War (June 1967), The War of Attrition (1968-1970), The Yom Kippur War (1973), The Lebanon War: Operation Peace for Galilee (1982), The Gulf War (1991), The Second Lebanon War (2006), and several other combat events.

At 8:00 PM Israel Standard Time, a two-minute siren will implement the beginning of Yom HaZikaron. At the sound of this siren, Israelis throughout the country will stop what they’re doing and honor those who went before them.

At the sound of the first siren, the State Memorial Ceremony will begin at the Western Wall which is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Israeli flag will be lowered to half-staff and radio stations throughout the country will play recordings about the history of Israel’s wars.

Traditionally, Yom HaZikaron is accompanied by moments of silence and several ceremonies. In 2020, however, due to the novel coronavirus, these ceremonies are now available online as a temporary solution. Even Jews abroad will be partaking in these online events. This is the first time in Israel’s 72-year history that all military cemeteries will be closed on Memorial Day. This is, of course, due to COVID-19.

There’s no question as to the significance of this day, for, without the commitment of the Jewish men and women to defend their God-given land throughout history, there would be no Jewish State. This is why Memorial Day comes immediately before Independence Day, or Yom HaAtzma’ut, in Israel.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.