The Memorial Day events for Israel's Fallen Soldiers & Victims of Hostile Acts
opened with a wreath-laying ceremony by the bereaved families at the municipal memorial and continued with municipal ceremonies with the participation of youth movements and discussion evenings and soldiers’ songs.
The city's residents united with memory and heroism. On Tuesday, April 29, the Memorial Day Eve ceremony was held for Israel's Fallen Soldiers & Victims of Hostile Acts.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the municipal memorial by the bereaved families, orphans and widows who were accompanied by members of the youth movements. The ceremony was also addressed by an IDF representative, Lt. Col. Yoni Roth, Deputy Commander of the Commando Division.
Then, with the sound of the siren at 20:00 the main ceremonies began, in which thousands of residents participated, at the Emek HaHula ampitheater, together with the youth movements, and at Mor High School with tparticipation of Shevet Ofek Scout Movement.
Mayor Haim Bibas said at the ceremony: "On the morning of October 7, tens of thousands of combat soldiers left their homes for the battlefield. They went out to fight, shoulder to shoulder. They did not ask each other about their opinions or their worldview. They left their homes with one clear understanding - fighting together to protect the home. Today, more than ever, I say, loud and clear: We have one country and we have one army, strong and moral. We must keep it above all disputes. The army belongs to all of us, it is in our image, it belongs to our children - it belongs to the victorious generation that is fighting, even now, in these very moments, and without it we have no country. This sacred day must be a resounding reminder of how important it is for us to be united and strong against our enemies. Unity among us is the condition for preserving the home."
After the ceremonies, evenings of soldiers’ songs and discussions were held throughout the city. At the Gray Club, Nurit Galron performed a song evening hosted by Yoav Ginai. At the sports hall in Reut, a soldiers’ discussion evening was hosted by Amir Bar Shalom. At the same time, at Modi'in Heichal HaTarbut "Remembering, Singing and Telling" an event hosted by Noam Jacobson and featuring Udi Ullman and his band and the ensemble of the music department of the Lapid High School Yeshiva.
