BICOM

Israelis flocked to beaches and parks yesterday as the country celebrated Independence Day.

The festivities began on Wednesday evening, as Memorial Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers ended to be replaced by street parties across the country, accompanied by public fireworks displays. Yesterday saw Israelis enjoy traditional barbeques, with an estimated 150,000 people packing the country’s national parks and countless more on its beaches. During the morning, the Israel Air Force conducted its perennial fly-past over the country’s major cities.

Also during the morning, President Reuven Rivlin hosted an awards ceremony for 120 outstanding IDF soldiers, which was also attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. Rivlin described the State of Israel as a “little sister” for whom “I was present at her birth and since then I’ve celebrated 68 enchanting and wonderful years with her.” Meanwhile, Eisenkot praised the honoured soldiers as “our best sons and daughters,” comprising “one hundred and twenty different stories bound together into one story – the story of the State of Israel”.

In another Independence Day tradition, Netanyahu attended the International Bible Quiz competition in Jerusalem, which saw 65 young people from Israel and 33 countries across the world test their biblical knowledge.

Yesterday evening, the Israel Prize ceremony honoured those who have made an outstanding contribution to Israel’s academic, scientific, cultural and educational life. Among those who this year received the prestigious award, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog and Rabbi Eli Sadan received the lifetime achievement prize. Recipients were also recognised for their achievements in diverse fields including linguistics, life sciences, religious studies and philosophy and Hebrew songs and folk art.

Coinciding with Israel’s Independence Day, the Central Bureau of Statistics released the annual population figures. The country’s overall population now stands at approximately 8.5 million people, more than ten times the population at Israel’s establishment in 1948. Jewish citizens comprise 74 per cent of Israel’s population, Arab citizens almost 21 per cent.