Every day in Israel is Independence and Remembrance Day, and we can never forget the sacrifices made by so many to establish the country and bring it to the great heights it achieved.
Since 1967, the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel has held an annual ceremony to recognize fallen Israeli soldiers from North America.
This month, Israel observes Holocaust Remembrance Day and Remembrance Day, mourning Holocaust victims and fallen heroes like Oz Daniel, who was killed on Oct. 7 and abducted to Gaza.
Mourners yelled out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he spoke at a ceremony on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl, and one man flew an Israeli flag that said "7.10" on it as he spoke.
What is at stake, Netanyahu said, is Israel’s “existence, liberty, security and prosperity.”
So, the question we are all asking ourselves right is: How is it even possible to mark these days in a way that is meaningful, respectful, and appropriate?
This year, we can look within and see the bravery and heroism in the hearts of each and every one of us.
There is a lot of television and movie programming this year that honors them and those they left behind, as well as Independence Day-themed content.
This year, after October 7 and the inconclusive results of the last seven months of fighting, the situation is much more complicated than in previous years.
US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew was present and noted that more than 30 American citizens were murdered in the Hamas atrocities on October 7.
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