The United Synagogue

Yom Ha'atzmaut

In simple terms, Independence Day commemorates the fact that on this day back in 1948 The State of Israel was established.

History In Brief
The destruction of most of the Jewish community in the Holocaust of Europe provided the perfect argument for the fact that the Jews needed a safe haven.

On 29 November 1947, the UN voted to partition the land into separate Jewish and Arab states. The Arabs refused to accept the partition. The British were unable to keep the peace. On 14 May 1948 the British pulled out, that same day the State of Israel was declared. The Arab armies invaded and at the end of the War of Independence, the Jews finally had a place of their own.

What are the customs of Yom Ha'atzmaut?
Community
The local Jewish synagogue or school or community centre will tend to host an Israel fair or concert.

Food
The traditional food on Yom Ha'atzmaut is Israeli food, such as pitta, fallafel and hummus.

Blue and white
Everywhere you go you'll see blue and white, especially the blue and white of the Israeli flag. The flags are hung from every available window and lampost.