Israel tonight officially remembers 23,320 men and women killed defending the country since 1860, the year that the first Jewish settlers left the secure walls of Jerusalem to build new Jewish neighborhoods
At 8 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT), a one-minute silence, except for the sound of a siren, marks the beginning of Remembrance Day.
A two-minute siren will blast at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Since last year’s Remembrance Day, 116 members of security forces have been killed.
Ceremonies at cemeteries around the country will take place throughout the day on Wednesday, most notably at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem and 43 other military cemeteries in Israel.
An Israel’s flag, adorned with a black ribbon and memorial flame, will be placed on every grave of those who fell in Israel’s battles and are buried in military cemeteries throughout Israel, expressing the country’s respect for the fallen as well as the entire country’s participation in the grief of the families.
A ceremony for overseas Mahal volunteers who fought and died during the War of Independence will take place near the Sha’ar Hagai Junction, west of Jerusalem.
At nightfall Wednesday, the Israeli flag will be raised from half-mast around the country to mark the beginning of the 67th year of independence since the re-establishment of the State of Israel after nearly 2,000 years.
