Happy Birthday, Israel! Today is your 62 year of Independence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the day as a "double miracle in the life of the Jewish people"."The first miracle is the restoration of Jewish sovereignty," Netanyahu said in an Independence Day message.
"The second miracle is what we've done since the establishment of the Jewish state. Israel is fast becoming a regional economic power and one of the world's leading technological powers," he said.
Israel declared statehood on May 14, 1948, a day before the expiry of Britain's United Nations-mandate over historic Palestine. It traditionally celebrates Independence Day according to the Jewish calendar, which this year falls almost a week before May 14.
Earlier in the day, at 11 A.M., a two-minute siren sounded throughout the country to mark Memorial Day, followed by ceremonies at Israel's 43 military cemeteries.
On Tuesday, Independence Day, Defense Ministry museums and military bases will be open from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. The Israeli air force will conduct flyovers over cities and other sites across the country. A naval demonstration will be held off the coast.
The annual international Bible competition will be held at 3 P.M. in Jerusalem. Among the contestants this year is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son Avner.
On Tuesday evening, the Israel Prize ceremony will be held in the capital.
During the day Tuesday, Israelis are expected to throng to the country's national parks. The Jewish National Fund will host hikes around the country and activities at the Tel Aviv port. One of the hikes on offer goes from Kibbutz Nirim in the south to the Halutza sands, where new communities are currently being built. Haaretz
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