Why do Israelis celebrate Independence Day right after Memorial Day?
Remarks of Omer Karavani at the Yom Haazmaut Ceremony, May 19, 2024
How can we transition from anguish and sorrow to hope and pride? Simply put, it is not simple. But we need to remember for whom our nation stands. This is why we mark Memorial Day so close to Independence Day.
We don’t forget those who fell; we don’t overlook them: we bring them with us to mark this Independence Day because we understand they are part of the building of this country. It is thanks to them that we have a homeland.
We have a homeland thanks to people who believed in the greater goal, thanks to people who never stopped dreaming of a home for the Jewish people.
A home is not just walls and a roof with rafters. Home is a haven. It’s the realization of our ancestors’ dream of 2,000 years. It’s that same home that builds the connection between our people around the world.
It’s the connection that causes an ache in your heart when you hear about a soldier who fell in battle, even if you never knew him. It’s the shared destiny that we all experience as one people, even if we’re spread around the world.
It’s the tear that fell on your cheek on October 7th and the hug we received as a community from one another the day after.
It’s the sense of duty of 300,000 IDF reservists who showed up for duty the day after the massacre. Many of them flew back to Israel from overseas.
It’s the pride and joy to hear Hatikvah and feel connected. It’s being part of a community that the eyes and mind can’t grasp, but the heart certainly can.
And when this home is threatened, and this connection is in danger, we will fight for it. We will fight for those who have sacrificed for the establishment and continuity of our homeland. We will fight for those who have dreamed of a safe place for 2,000 years.
Most importantly, we will fight for future generations, so they won’t have to suffer and dream of a safe place anymore.
3,000 years old, 76 years young.
Happy Birthday, Israel.
Omer Karavani
Israeli Emissary