The Independence Day ceremony began yesterday and will continue through Saturday evening for 70 hours of Israeli festivities across the country to celebrate the 70th anniversary of when David Ben Gurion announced the establishment of the Jewish state and Israel took its place among the nations on May 14, 1948. The theme for the nation’s 70^th anniversary celebration is “A Legacy of Innovation.” 

President Reuven Rivlin hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot and others for a musical ceremony honoring over 100 soldiers receiving commendations for excellence. There was a cross-country flyover of military jets and helicopters, which included Israel’s fleet of F-35 jets, considered the most advanced plane in the world. At the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, there was a state ceremony featuring the lighting of torches by 12 people who are seen to have made an outstanding contribution to society — as well as one by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another by Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein.

The opening ceremony of Israel’s national celebration wove a theme of technological progress and survival through seven decades of its modern history. They told the story of the Jewish people from Moses to the early pioneers, through the Holocaust to the growth of technology. They said the rebirth of their nation was where prophecy became their reality and the answer to their prayers.

President Donald Trump previously announced that the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will open on May 14, 2018 to coincide with the 70th anniversary. He has held to his promise despite facing a backlash from the Palestinian Authority and its supporters.

“We all appreciate the strong alliance with the United States,” Netanyahu said. “We all welcome President Donald Trump's historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as our capital and to transfer the embassy of the strongest power in the world to it. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, America.”

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