Israeli soldiers stand still as the memorial siren sounds during the ceremony marking Remembrance Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, on April 29, 2025. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
What Is Yom HaZikaron?
Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, is a solemn national day of remembrance for the soldiers who fell defending the State of Israel and the victims of terror. It is one of the most emotional and sacred days in the Israeli calendar, reflecting the personal and collective cost of independence and security.
Unlike memorial days in other countries, Yom HaZikaron directly precedes Israel’s Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut)—by law and by design. This intentional connection reflects a deep truth: we cannot celebrate the birth and survival of the State of Israel without remembering the lives sacrificed for it. We honor their memory so that we may rejoice in the freedom they made possible.
National Observance
Yom HaZikaron follows the Hebrew calendar and begins at 8:00 PM with a nationwide siren. As soon as the siren sounds, life across Israel comes to a halt. People stop in the middle of highways, families pause mid-dinner, offices fall silent. For one full minute, the nation stands still in mourning and respect.
This moment marks the beginning of official memorial ceremonies across the country, culminating in the State Memorial Ceremony at the Western Wall Plaza (Kotel) in Jerusalem. This deeply symbolic location, a remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple, serves as the spiritual heart of the Jewish people.
State Memorial Ceremony at the Western Wall
The official state ceremony began this evening (Tuesday) at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem, immediately following the evening siren. Present at the ceremony were the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the President of Israel, and the Chief of the General Staff of the IDF. The ceremony includes speeches, prayers, and the laying of wreaths, connecting the personal losses of thousands of families to the story of a nation.
Songs in Their Memory: Musical Tribute at the Knesset
Following the state ceremony, the moving event “Songs in Their Memory” was held in the Chagall Lounge of the Knesset, in collaboration with the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) and the Knesset.
The Knesset Event
Since 2010, this event has been an annual fixture on the eve of Yom HaZikaron. Held at the Knesset Plaza, it is attended by bereaved families, national leaders, and public figures including the Speaker of the Knesset and the Minister of Defense.
The evening features musical performances by top Israeli artists, IDF musical ensembles, and others. Between the songs, stories of fallen soldiers are shared with the audience, offering intimate glimpses into the lives behind the names. These stories remind us that each soldier was a whole world—a child, a sibling, a friend, a dreamer.
Organized by the Knesset, the Ministry of Defense, Bituach Leumi, and the IDF, this event bridges the gap between personal memory and national identity, reinforcing the unity of the Israeli people.
The Next Day’s Observances
The following morning, at 11:00 AM, a two-minute siren signals the start of private memorial ceremonies held at military cemeteries, schools, and community centers throughout the country. This siren is longer, reflecting the depth of collective mourning as families and citizens gather to lay flowers, read names, and recite Kaddish.
The day concludes in the evening with a final ceremony at Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery in Jerusalem. It is at this exact moment—with the close of Yom HaZikaron—that Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, begins.
Why the Days Are Connected
In most countries, the memorial day for fallen soldiers and the celebration of national independence occur on entirely different dates. But in Israel, these days are intertwined, and this connection is both legal and symbolic.
Yom HaAtzmaut begins the moment Yom HaZikaron ends. This is not simply a matter of scheduling. It is a powerful national statement: we would not have our freedom without the sacrifice of those we remember. Their bravery, their lives, and their deaths are the foundation upon which the State of Israel stands.
This transition—from mourning to celebration—reminds us that our joy is rooted in memory, and our memory is sanctified through a life of purpose, nationhood, and unity.
Watch Live Commemorations
Names of the fallen are projected tonight on the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, a stirring visual tribute:
Watch an English-language Yom HaZikaron memorial ceremony here:
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