Walls Of Jerusalem’s Old City Lit Up In Honor of 78th Israel Independence Day
Following the sharp transition from Memorial Day to the celebrations of Israel’s 78th Independence Day, Jerusalem’s central landmarks were illuminated Tuesday evening (21st) in special light displays.
The walls of the Old City were transformed into a giant screen, displaying projections of the Israeli flag, the Jerusalem city flag, and dynamic fireworks visuals, alongside the festive inscription: “78 years of the State of Israel.”
At the same time, the Chords Bridge – the main entrance to the Old City – was also lit up in celebratory colors, joined by a series of additional sites across the capital, including the new Gei Ben Hinnom Bridge, the bridge connecting the Supreme Court to Cinema City, the Zion Hotel, and the First Station complex at David Remez Square.
Mayor Moshe Lion congratulated residents as the celebrations began, emphasizing the connection between remembrance and renewal: “With the conclusion of Memorial Day and the beginning of the 78th Independence Day of the State of Israel, we move together from moments of pain and remembrance to moments of joy and national pride. We remember and honor the fallen, thanks to whom we merited freedom and independence, and by whose strength we continue to build, create, and rejoice. Jerusalem is filled tonight with light, celebration, and hope – a city that connects a glorious past, a vibrant present, and a future of faith and growth. From remembrance we draw strength, and from unity – great joy at the privilege of being a free people in our land.”
In Independence Day Address, Netanyahu Says Israel Is Stronger Than Ever
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is “stronger than ever,” hailing its “fight against the forces of evil” and military achievements in a video address screened at the Independence Day state ceremony In Jerusalem Tuesday evening (21st),
“Israel is stronger than ever, and together with the United States, we are leading the fight against the forces of evil in the world,” Netanyahu said.
He said enemies have risen up in every generation to try to destroy the Jewish people, but said that in what he calls the “generation of revival,” Israel rises up “against our enemies.”
“The Iranian axis of evil, which plotted to destroy us, is now fighting for its very survival. In the war of Revival, we smashed major parts of Iran’s axis.
“War of Revival” is the official name approved by the Israeli cabinet last year for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
“We have launched two bold operations to remove an existential threat from above us,” Netanyahu continued, referring to the danger posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
He said Israel brought ties with the U.S. under President Donald Trump to “unprecedented heights,”
“We dealt a heavy blow to Iran’s regime of terror, harming its ability to endanger us. We strengthened Israel’s position as a regional power. We forged new alliances and opened the door to expanding the circle of peace,” he said, crediting Israel’s soldiers and citizens, as well as “the courageous decisions we made,” with such feats.
“In the War of Revival, in Operations Rising Lion and Roaring Lion, we made major achievements,” he reiterated, referring to the two campaigns against Iran.
Of Gaza, he said, “We have returned all of our hostages” from Hamas captivity, “every last one of them,”without differentiating between those who were returned alive versus those whose bodies were returned after they were killed in captivity. He said Israel continues to tackle Hamas, “in order to ensure that Gaza will no longer threaten Israel.”
He also hailed Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and Syria, including the establishment of security zones in both those countries. In Lebanon, he said, Israel blew up Hezbollah’s beepers and killed its leader Hassan Nasrallah, “and created a deep security zone that pushes the threat away from residents of the North. In Syria as well, we established a security zone, and we are protecting our Druze brothers,” he continued.
“We are pressing forward on all fronts,” Netanyahu said. He then moved on to address advancements in the economic, transport, science and technology, innovation and settlement fields
Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu said, “With God’s help, we will complete the victory, strengthen our state, and secure our future.”
Israel At 78: Solidarity And Determination – Herb Keinon
Each year before Independence Day, the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics releases a report. This year’s figures show that Israel’s population grew by 150,000 and that 91% of Israelis say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their lives. But the numbers say nothing about the kind of year the country actually experienced.
It has now been well over two years since October 7, 2023, a day that shattered assumptions and exposed vulnerabilities we still struggle to comprehend. Since then, Israel has been at war – first in Gaza – then in Lebanon, and now twice with Iran. It has been a year of sirens and safe rooms, of long stints of reserve duty. But that is only half the story.
Israel fought on multiple fronts, dealing devastating blows to Hamas, Hizbullah, and Iran – actions that will take those enemies years to recover from. It secured the release of the remaining hostages. And it once again demonstrated a capacity for resilience and mobilization that surprised even itself. October 7 was a catastrophe. But October 8 was the moment when Jews responded forcefully and decisively.
78 years ago, Israel emerged from the shadow of the Holocaust, weak and vulnerable. Today, it is a strong independent state with a tremendous ability to defend itself. We need to be careful not to lose sight of how far we have come.
One expression of national resilience can be seen in the area adjacent to Gaza. On the eve of October 7, 62,000 people lived there. Today, the number is higher. Most of those who were evacuated have returned, and new families are moving in. Hamas tried to empty those communities. Instead, they grew. This is a reminder of a deep current in Israeli society – one of commitment, solidarity, and determination.
IDF Confirms Hezbollah Drone Sirens In Northern Israel In Violation Of Ceasefire
Hezbollah troops fired a rocket at IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon, violating the current ceasefire, Israeli media reported on Tuesday (21st).
Despite this, when sirens sounded along the Lebanese border, the IDF classified the event as a “false identification.”
Later, the IDF announced that the siren had actually been the result of a UAV from Lebanon that was intercepted before it passed into Israeli territory.
The IDF also confirmed that Hezbollah had fired rockets toward Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon, adding that the military had then struck the launcher from which the rockets were fired.
Hezbollah later claimed it had launched the rockets at Israeli forces in response to more than 200 flagrant violations by the Israeli enemy since the ceasefire went into effect.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah mediated by Washington came into effect on Thursday (16th), but Israeli forces remain deployed in a belt of Lebanese land 5-10 km deep along the entire border. Israel has said it aims to create a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shiite Muslim terrorist group.
Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker warned earlier on Tuesday (21st) that Israeli forces in parts of the country’s south would face resistance if they fail to withdraw, signaling a risk of renewed confrontation ahead of US-mediated talks this week.
A Proposal That The EU Cut Ties With Israel Was Defeated By Germany And Italy
European Union member states on Tuesday (21st) rejected a proposal to suspend ties with Israel, blocking a push by Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia during a meeting in Luxembourg.
The proposal sought to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which has been in force since 2000, amid concerns raised by some countries over the war in Gaza, recent strikes in Lebanon, and actions in Judea and Samaria.
However, opposition from several member states, including Germany and Italy, prevented the measure from advancing.
EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas said there was insufficient support among member states to move forward with suspension.
“I don’t see a shift in positions in the room regarding suspension,” she told reporters after the meeting, adding that discussions on EU-Israel relations would continue.
Under EU rules, suspending parts of the agreement would require a qualified majority of 15 out of 27 member states representing at least 65% of the EU population. A full suspension would require unanimous approval, a threshold that was not met.
Ahead of the meeting, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called for discussions on the issue, saying, “Europe’s credibility is at stake.”
Germany and Italy both opposed the proposal. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the move as “inappropriate” and emphasized the need for continued engagement.
“We have to talk with Israel about the critical issues,” he said at the start of the meeting. That has to be done in a critical, constructive dialogue with Israel,” Wadephul said. “THat is what we stand for.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also pushed back, indicating no immediate action would be taken.
The outcome leaves the EU-Israel Association Agreement in place, with member states remaining divided over how to address relations with Israel moving forward.
The Gulf Learns What It’s Like To Be Israel – Betsy Berns Korn and William C. Daroff
Forty days of war following the U.S. and Israel’s joint campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran are reshaping the Middle East and its alliances. Countries across the Gulf region now see what it has been like to live in Israel in recent decades, as rockets, missiles and drones have struck civilian population centers.
For decades, Israelis endured attacks on their cities from Iran and its proxies. Much of the world treated those attacks as background noise, or something to rationalize or applaud. In the recent conflict, Israel absorbed wave after wave of Iranian ballistic missile fire. Beersheba, Haifa, Jerusalem, Nahariya, Arad and Tel Aviv all took hits. At the same time courage barely registered across the U.S. and Europe over Iran’s targeting of civilians and infrastructure, both in Israel and across the region.
Unlike in Israel, homes and offices in parts of the Gulf lack hardened bomb shelters, leaving civilians more exposed. The same holds true for Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. None of these states are parties to the conflict. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck vital infrastructure, including oil facilities and desalination plants. The expectation of safety across many of these nations, once taken for granted, no longer holds. Countries that once viewed Israel’s security challenges from a distance now confront them directly.
When Israel comes under fire, the international reaction arrives late – diluted by equivocation – or not at all. This time, the missiles have not fallen on Israel alone. Yet, where is the outrage? Where are the emergency sessions? Where is the Arab League? Where is the Organization of Islamic Cooperation? The UN Security Council cannot pass a resolution brought by Bahrain and other Gulf states calling for condemnation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
This moment tests whether targeting civilians is truly unacceptable or only unacceptable when it is convenient to say so. If attacks of this scale, across this many countries, fail to produce clarity, then the language of international norms becomes performance. Silence is not neutrality. It is acquiescence. When aggression meets no consequence, it expands.
Betsy Berns Korn is chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, where William C. Daroff is CEO.
(jns.org)
