BICOM

Despite unseasonably bad weather, Israelis enthusiastically celebrated Independence Day yesterday, while official ceremonies honoured those who have made an outstanding contribution to the country.

The celebrations began on Wednesday evening with street parties, concerts and fireworks throughout Israeli cities. During the ceremony on Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl, which officially marks the transition from Remembrance Day to Independence Day, 12 Israelis who have made a trailblazing contribution to public life were honoured. They included Danny Gold, the pioneer behind the Iron Dome anti-missile system and Lucy Aharish, a well-known Arab broadcast journalist. Speaking in Hebrew, Aharish said that she accepted the honour on behalf of all Israelis “Mizrahi and Ashkenazi, religious and secular, Arabs and Jews,” before adding in Arabic, “This is our country – We have no other.”

Yesterday, Israelis braved scattered showers and even snow in the very north of the country to fill Israel’s parks and open spaces to take part in traditional barbeques. They watched as IDF fighter jets and other aircraft took part in the annual fly-past which covered almost the entire country. Many museums, cultural attractions and some IDF bases were also opened free of charge to the public. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Eyal Matas, from Rehovot, was the winner of this year’s International Bible Contest in Jerusalem, a televised event attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, President Reuven Rivlin awarded certificates of excellence to 120 soldiers and officers who were selected from across the IDF. He told them, “You are the proof that the necessity to bear arms that has been forced on us is not accompanied by a loss of values.”

Yesterday evening, Independence Day celebrations culminated with the award of the Israel Prize, honouring recipients who have made an exceptional contribution to the country’s academic and cultural landscape. Among those who received the top honour this year were the actor Haim Topol.