Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, is a day of remembrance for the fallen soldiers of the State of
Israel. More recently after the Second Intifada, a time of intensified Israeli-Palestinian fighting between
2000 and 2005, many have extended Yom Hazikaron to remember all who have been lost from attacks.
In Israel, similar to Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, flags are flown at half-mast and there
is no public entertainment, concerts or major sporting events. Two sirens are sounded. The first siren
marks the beginning of Yom Hazikaron at sundown and the second is sounded immediately prior to the
recitation of prayers in military cemeteries the next day. In the evening a national ceremony is held at
the military cemetery on Mt. Herzl, where many of Israel's leaders and soldiers are buried.
Outside of Israel, Yom Hazikaron is often commemorated as part of Israel Independence Day, Yom
Ha’atzma’ut. Joining these two days together reminds us that the independence and existence of the
Jewish state is directly linked to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it.
Honor those that have fallen for Israel by lighting a candle or pausing for a moment of silence.
Wars Israel has been involved in:
1947-1949, Israel’s War of Independence
With a vote of the UN, the British Mandate ended and
soon the State of Israel would be born. In less than a
day, five countries invaded Israel: Egypt, Syria,
Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon. The newly organized
Israeli Defense Force (IDF) defeated the Arab
nations after more that a year of sporadic fighting.
6,000 Israeli lives were lost.
1956, The Sinai/Suez War
Egypt prevented shipping through the Suez Canal
and the port of Eilat, violating international law. With
support from allies France and Britain, Israel
captured the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip.
Israel later gave back the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
1967, The Six-Day War
Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq attacked Israel and
mobilized more than 250,000 troops. Israel defended
itself against the attack and in doing so defeated the
four nations and gained control over the West Bank
in the east, Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula in the west
and the Golan Heights in the north.
1967-1970, The War of Attrition
Less than a month after the Six-Day War ended,
Egypt attacked Israel in the Sinai. Over 1,500 Israeli
soldiers and civilians died during the three-year
engagement.
1967-1970, The War of Attrition
Less than a month after the Six-Day War ended,
Egypt attacked Israel in the Sinai. Over 1,500 Israeli
soldiers and civilians died during the three-year
engagement.
1973, The Yom Kippur War
On Yom Kippur, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise
attack on Israel. The IDF was not prepared but was
still able to hold off the armies. After three weeks of
fighting, 2,688 Israeli soldiers died.
1982-1985, The Lebanon War
After the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
moved into Southern Lebanon, the IDF entered
Lebanon to remove the organization. The PLO
relocated and the IDF withdrew their forces back to a
security zone.
2006, Second Lebanon War
The Iranian supported terrorist group, Hezbollah,
attacked civilians and soldiers. The war lasted only
34 days and only 8 soldiers lost their lives.
2008-2009, Gaza War
This 22-day operation was implemented to end
rocket fire coming in from Gaza and weapons
smuggling.
This poem was written by Polish born Nathan Alterman, during the 1948 War of
Independence. Alterman was an Israeli Poet, Journalist and playwright.
Magash Hakesef (The Silver Platter)
The earth grows still.
The lurid sky slowly pales over smoking borders.
Heartsick but still living, a people stand by
To great the uniqueness
Of the miracle.
Readied, they wait beneath the moon,
Wrapped in awesome joy before the light.
Then soon,
A girl and boy step forward,
And slowly walk before the waiting nation;
In work clothes and heavy-shod
They climb
In stillness.
Wearing still the dress of battle, the grime
Of aching day and fired night
Unwashed, weary until death, not knowing rest,
But wearing youth like dewdrops in their hair.
Silently the two approach
And stand.
Are they of the quick or of the dead?
Through wondering tears, the people stare.
"Who are you, the silent two?"
And they reply: "We are the silver platter
Upon which the Jewish State was served to you."
And speaking, fall in shadow at the nation's feet.
Let the rest in Israel's chronicles be told.