YOM HA’ATZMAUT 2025-5785
By Jenna Romano
Considering that the State of Israel was born in 1948, it’s fascinating to witness how the country’s culture has evolved in less than a century, embracing traditions that honor both its past and future.
This is Israel’s 77th Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) — just 77 years old, yet carrying millennia of history on its shoulders.
While Yom Ha’atzmaut resonates across the Jewish world, in Israel it is truly special moment when citizens come together to honor the remarkable nation that has flourished against tremendous odds.
Independence Day is Israel’s most vibrant expression of national pride — a day when ancient traditions and modern achievements blend seamlessly, capturing the country’s unique spirit.
What is Israel’s Independence Day?
Like Bastille Day in France or July 4 in America, Israeli Independence Day marks the anniversary of the establishment of the independent state of Israel, the first modern sovereign nation for Jewish people.
Following a history of persecution across the world — especially amplified by the Holocaust — the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 would end a period of physical exile from the Holy Land that lasted nearly 2,000 years.
A series of events led to this culminating moment: centuries of Ottoman Empire rule and the subsequent British Mandate; the rise of the Zionist movement in the late 19th century, which inspired the first waves of Jewish pioneers and refugees returning to their Holy Land to build its industry and agriculture; and the recognition by world leaders that the Jewish people need a sovereign state of their own.
On Nov. 29, 1947, the UN approved a plan to partition Mandatory Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state.
The War of Independence
The local Arab population refused to accept the UN plan to divide the land into two states, and on Nov. 30, 1947, launched an attack against Jewish communities. Thus began what’s now known as the War of Independence.
Amidst turmoil and battles, Israel was officially declared an independent state on May 14, 1948, marking an official end of the British Mandate. Celebrations were short-lived. The following day, Arab armies from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq launched a major attack on newborn Israel — amplifying the scope of a war that would last nearly 20 months.
Many believe that Israel’s victory was nothing short of a miracle: 6,000 Israelis were killed and 15,000 wounded. The War of Independence would become the country’s costliest battle. But in return, a nation of exiles was finally free to come home.
10 interesting facts about Israeli Independence Day
Here are 10 cool things you should know about the holiday, and how it’s celebrated today:
1. Independence Day in Israel falls on a different date each year
Weird? One fun fact about Israel is that the dates of our Jewish holidays are set according to the Hebrew (lunar) calendar rather than the Gregorian (solar/secular) calendar. That’s why the high holidays fall sometimes in September and sometimes in October.
Although the Gregorian anniversary of Israel’s declaration of independence is May 14, the Hebrew date is the 5th of Iyar, and that’s the day we celebrate — unless the 5th of Iyar falls on Shabbat, as it does this year, in which case the celebration is moved up to Thursday.
2. Memorial Day and Independence Day are connected
A line of uniformed soldiers stands in formation in front of the Western Wall, with some dressed in white and others in brown and tan uniforms, during a formal ceremony at night.
By design, Israeli Independence Day immediately follows Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron), and it’s a very significant transition. One day, we’re standing silently still in the streets to honor our fallen soldiers, visiting cemeteries and embracing a solemn mood. The next day, you can find us celebrating, dancing and barbecuing with all-around merriment.
The stark contrast of these holidays, and their side-by-side placement in the calendar, encourages deep reflection of their meaning and significance. It’s a reminder that without the wars we’ve fought and the heroes we’ve sadly lost, we simply wouldn’t be here to celebrate.
This concept reflects strongly on the values of Judaism, too. We take our history seriously, as well as our honoring of the dead. But there’s a strong quality that never allows us to stay stuck in the past. We move forward and we flourish.
3. Yom Ha’atzmaut is (pretty much exclusively) an outdoor celebration
While most holidays on the Jewish calendar (with the exception of Sukkot and Tu b’Shevat) revolve around a dining room table and a synagogue, on Yom Ha’atzmaut Israelis indulge their love for the outdoors. Happily, the holiday falls smack in the middle of spring, after the cold has subsided and before it gets unbearably hot.
Celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut like an Israeli means joining the crowd outdoors for barbecues, beach visits, picnics, concerts, parades and more.
Many outdoor events were cancelled this year due to an outbreak of forest fires amid high winds.
4. Jews in the Diaspora celebrate, too
For centuries, the yearning for a return to Zion has been expressed in prayers and sacred texts. At the end of each Passover, we sing “Next year in Jerusalem.” So the establishment of Israel is a cause for universal Jewish commemoration, and Jews outside of Israel celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, too.
5. It’s not a real holiday without a good BBQ
On Yom Ha’atzmaut especially, Israelis love a good barbecue! The smell of charcoal grilling meat (or alternative protein), the smoke in the air, guests gathered around the grill masters — the barbecue is one sure sign it’s Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Typical Yom Ha’atzmaut foods include kebabs, chicken wings, boneless chicken thighs, steak, merguez (sausage) and the occasional lamb chop or arayes (a delicious grilled meat stuffed pita).
Because Israel is a very vegan-friendly country, you’re almost guaranteed to find grilled veggies like portobello mushroom or pepper. Plus, Israeli meals are nothing without a healthy spread of dips and salads — hummus, Israeli salad, tabouli, tehina (tahini). Top this off with fresh pita and you’re set!
6. Music and dancing
On Yom Ha’atzmaut, we truly embrace an amplified musical atmosphere wherever we are celebrating. There are lots of live concerts or you can play your own festive Independence Day playlist to go along with your celebration.
Israeli folk dancing is another popular activity on Yom Ha’atzmaut. You can see people dancing the hora, the dabke and flag dances at local parades and celebrations.
7. Celebrations start with a torch-lighting ceremony
In some countries, fireworks shows are common on their Independence Day. In Israel, torch lighting is more prominent. The Torch Lighting Ceremony at the national military cemetery on Mount Herzl marks the transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day.
The ceremony was first held in 1949, when members of the Gadna premilitary program and the Speaker of the Knesset visited Theodor Herzl’s grave at Mount Herzl bearing torches. It became an official event in 1950.
Today, in addition to countless smaller torch-lighting ceremonies honoring local citizens, the main national torch-lighting ceremony is attended by thousands — including members of the government and other honored guests — and is streamed live throughout the country.
At the ceremony, 12 torches are lit to symbolize the 12 Tribes of Israel.
They are lit by people or groups of people chosen for their extraordinary contributions to society.
Among torchbearers for the 77th anniversary year are Olympic judoka Oren Smadja, whose son fell in the current Gaza war, and former hostage Emily Damari.
The ceremony, accompanied by performances and speeches, gets a different theme each year, chosen by the Ministerial Committee on Ceremonies and Symbols to honor significant moments in Israel’s statehood. This year’s theme is Bridges of Hope.
8. The Air Force in action
The annual Yom Ha’atzmaut flyover is a beloved annual event, though it was canceled in 2024 and 2025 due to the war. The show features IAF (Israel Air Force) aircrafts and acrobatic planes.
For 45 minutes, the pilots put on a spectacular air show that can be viewed in major towns and cities across the country.
9. Blue and white and flags
The design of the Israeli flag actually predates 1948. Preliminary versions were created and used in the 19th century to represent the Zionist movement. Its blue-and-white stripes evoke the tallit and the Magen David star is an international symbol of Judaism.
A committee appointed to issue a public call for ideas received 164 entries before unanimously approving the final version on Oct. 28, 1948.
Today on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israelis don blue-and-white clothing and fly Israeli flags from homes, cars, businesses and more.
Stores are full of endless accessories like hats, sunglasses and balloons and noisemakers with the flag design imprinted on them.
At Kalman Berman’s flag factory, flag sales experience a whopping uptick before the holiday — with tens of thousands being purchased in anticipation.
10. Israel’s road to independence inspired many profound quotes
“In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles” — First Prime Minister of Israel David Ben Gurion
“We have always said that in our war with the Arabs we had a secret weapon — no alternative.” — Former Prime Minister Golda Meir
“If you will it, it is no dream” — Father of modern Zionism, Theordor Herzl
“Freedom is the oxygen of the soul” — Former Prime Minister Menachem Begin
“The Jews are the only people in the world who have found it easier to believe in the miraculous than in the obvious” — Israeli diplomat and scholar Abba Eban
