The annual torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, attended by some 6,500 people, marked the beginning of the two-day-long celebrations on April 18. The solemn event was highlighted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s eloquent speech, as he vowed that no one would “extinguish” the Jewish state’s “light.”
The 12 torches, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel in the Bible, were lit by people who are deemed to have made great contributions to Israeli society, with the ceremony accompanied by actors’ performances, singing and dancing and offering an all-encompassing throwback to Jewish history.
Torch-lighting ceremony opens 70th #IndependenceDay celebrations
— Eli Dror (@edrormba) 18 апреля 2018 г.
After traditional torch-lighting ceremony, Israel's Independence Day event will commence on #MountHerzel, with 1,500 participants including singers, musicians, dancers, choir singers and flag-bearers. pic.twitter.com/k6mydSrR6x
In just a few moments, the Israeli flag 🇮🇱 will be raised and celebrations will erupt across the land.
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) 18 апреля 2018 г.
Watch the official ceremony opening Israel’s 70th Independence Day LIVE from Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl: https://t.co/yLIdoKZ7YT#Israel70 pic.twitter.com/xteAxNZchH
Social media users shared pictures and videos from the festivities, including powerful firework shows in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem…
Fireworks in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for Israel's 70th Independence Day. #Israel70 #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/QAFCQQ2naA
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) 19 апреля 2018 г.
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE ISRAEL!!! #Israel70 #TelAviv 🇮🇱🎉❤️🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/eOxSfXRliW
— Julien Bahloul (@julienbahloul) 18 апреля 2018 г.
🇮🇱 Yesterday night fireworks over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Israel marked its 70th Independence Day.
— Xavi Ruiz 🎗 (@xruiztru) 19 апреля 2018 г.
Happy birthday Israel! pic.twitter.com/hiP2Xntrnx
…and Israeli “protectors from the sky”:
Our protectors from the sky! @IAFsite Independence Day flyover Tel Aviv! #Israel #Israel70 ✈️🚁🛩 pic.twitter.com/Ws1aOYyCAG
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) 19 апреля 2018 г.
Just a taste of Israel's 70th Independence Day flyover! 🇮🇱 #Israel70 #YomHaatzmaut pic.twitter.com/d1hh54pQCk
— Eytan Halon (@eytanhalon) 19 апреля 2018 г.
HAPPENING NOW: Israeli Air Force performs parachuting over the Sea of Galilee.
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) 19 апреля 2018 г.
God bless Israel and its defenders! #Israel70 #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/mOavW25ukJ
Buildings across the country were lit up in the Israeli flag’s colors:
#Israel is 3000 years old and 70 years young.
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) 18 апреля 2018 г.
Happy Independence day! 🇮🇱 #Israel70 #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/sWYPdukpRI
Jerusalem celebrates Israel 🇮🇱#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/xFLmrGf1bb
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) 18 апреля 2018 г.
Crowds were singing “Hallelujah” in chorus – the song which secured Israel’s victory in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest…
Un des moments forts de la soirée, des centaines de milliers d’Israéliens à travers tout le pays reprennent ensemble la chanson « hallelujah » #Israel70 #Israel 🇮🇱🎉 pic.twitter.com/pl5ZGnB5ub
— Julien Bahloul (@julienbahloul) 18 апреля 2018 г.
…as well as psalms to the tune of Israel’s national anthem “Hatikvah”:
Right now: Thousands of Israelis sing Psalm 126—“When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like dreamers”—to the tune of Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah, outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls. 🇮🇱 #Israel70 pic.twitter.com/XXzO1GyhgZ
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) 18 апреля 2018 г.
Cheerful Israelis will celebrate Independence Day and enjoy parties until sundown on Thursday:
Independence Day party. #Israel70 🇮🇱❤️ pic.twitter.com/BGqXYi1QBB
— Julien Bahloul (@julienbahloul) 19 апреля 2018 г.
Happy 70th Israel Independence Day!! pic.twitter.com/46ikN0zMPJ
— Cincinnati MOTL (@CincyMOTL) 19 апреля 2018 г.
Some have even prepared special Independence-Day-Cupcakes:
Good morning everyone!
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) 19 апреля 2018 г.
We're celebrating 70 years to Israel! 🇮🇱#IndependenceDay #Israel70 pic.twitter.com/ZPirkL10Jh
About 300 drones lit up Jerusalem’s night sky over Mount Herzi on Wednesday:
Happy 70th Birthday my beloved Israel ❤️🇮🇱 #Israel70 pic.twitter.com/esgMpcUfP2
— DOPAC (@C8H804) 19 апреля 2018 г.
A spectacular show of 300 drones in the Jerusalem sky, Intel Israel. https://t.co/NN0MbTWJSr
— Michael Garkawe (@mgarkawe) 19 апреля 2018 г.
A fleet of 300 intel drones to celebrate Israel 70th independence day yesterday in Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/ZDhK56FNTM
— Dumpling88 (@Dumpling88) 19 апреля 2018 г.
The State of Israel was created in 1948 – a milestone for the Jewish people, who just three years prior were suffering as a result Nazi Germany’s atrocities during World War II. Israel’s creation was completely rejected by its Arab neighbors, which attacked the newly founded state on the next day. Every year since then Israel mourns its soldiers, fallen during the war between the Jewish State and a military coalition of Arab countries, with a solemn remembrance ceremony before a transition to nationwide celebrations.
