In years passed, we have been amazed and greatly moved by Israel Independence celebrations. The great show in the evening in Jerusalem is full of processionals, pageantry, children’s choirs, youth presentations, speeches, poetry, and more. In the side streets and main avenues, the Israeli flags are everywhere. Cars are decked with flags. People celebrate by hitting one another on the head with the soft blow of specially made plastic hammers, which we first experienced on our tour in May 1979.
One of the strange aspects of the Israeli calendar is that Israel’s Memorial Day is only the day before the celebration. (In the United States it is separated by more than a month.) Memorial Day is a somber day of gatherings, at cemeteries and the main military burial ground at Mt. Herzl, equivalent to Arlington Cemetery across from Potomac River in Washington, D. C. This produces an almost whiplash emotional effect where grief and morning for the many who have died in Israel’s wars is for some too soon followed by the joy of celebration.
This year, the observances will be like no other. The government has ordered greater restrictions than those we are normally following due to the virus plague, even requiring staying at home. This was also done at Passover. Why? The government fears that without greater restriction there will be too many who are not self-controlled and will gather in unsafe ways. The day after on Thursday we are told we will be less restricted. More stores will be open and the 500-meter rule for exercise will be lifted. This year, there will be no gatherings for memorials and no great celebration in the stadium. Instead, we will see online presentations that will not have near the effect. It will be the most strange and somewhat sad situation whereby we are cheated out of this most important time, both our unity in national mourning and the joy of in-person celebrations on the next day. Like America, barbeques in the park are amazing here but will not take place this year.
However, let us recall the amazing events of these days. The Greatest Generation in Israel is not just the one from World War Two times or in Israel’s case the War of Independence. In a sense, the great level of greatness has to be maintained in war after war and the willing sacrifice in the years since independence has been characteristic.
There is no story in History that compares with the story of modern Israel. The beginnings are from a modest movement with settlements in the 19th Century. Then there was an endorsement of the idea that this ancient Land is the home of the Jewish. This was first in the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and then in the San Remo Conference of the League of Nations in 1920 that called for Jewish self-determination in our ancient Land. Our numbers in the Holy Land continued to grow. This continued in spite of the change of British policy from the mid-1920s to the 1940s (Pharaohs who did not know Joseph came into power). Our people in the Land were swelled by survivors from the Holocaust the terrible devastation beyond words.
The United Nations partition plan gave Israel a very small territory for the Jewish State, but Israel accepted it this partition. She had to then defend herself against five Arab Armies and somehow win the 1948 War of Independence. Israel controlled more territory by the armistice lines. This was most amazing. Holocaust survivors fought side by side with those who had been here before the Holocaust and grew up in the Land. This was our greatest generation, but not the only great one.
Then came the ‘67 War. Israel again defended herself and gained more territorial control, the Old City of Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Sinai. Then came the ‘73 War which was perilous. Again Israel won. Many lives were lost in these wars. Then many smaller wars came; Lebanon twice and then Gaza. Then came terrorist battles, the Intifada, and withstanding terror attacks. Somehow Israel thrives. The response to this amazing history is not a point of universal agreement. Here are the basic responses to this history.
- For Messianic Jews, the return to the Land and Israel’s self-government is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and preparation for Israel coming to repentance and embracing Yeshua as King and Lord. (Ezek. 36:24 ff.) Messianic Jews are patriotic, join the Army, and fight for Israel, but know that we do not receive the fullness of the promises for Israel including her full borders and more until the Messiah comes.
- For Nationalist Zionist Orthodox Jews, the return to the Land and Israel’s independence is also a fulfillment of prophecy that prepares the way for the coming of the Messiah. However, these Orthodox reject the idea of a Palestinian state on any part of the territory from the Jordan Valley through the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and seek Israeli sovereignty for all of the territory. This battle is fought in Israel today. The Trump peace plan to give 70% of the West Bank and Gaza for a Palestinian State is rejected by these nationalists. However, Benjamin Netanyahu will accept this peace plan with the certainty that the Palestinians do not really want peace and a two-state solution and will reject it.
- For the Ultra-Orthodox, some are positive toward Israel, but the majority believe that Israel’s independence is a mistake. Israel should not be self-ruled until the Messiah comes. Zionism that fosters self-determination in our own state delays the coming of the Messiah. It is a “good deed” mitzvah) to live in the Land but not to have self-determination.
- Finally, for the great majority of Israelis, secular or traditional but not Orthodox, Israel is an amazing story and they are patriotic and very committed to the nation.
All of these responses are brought to the fore every Independence Day, but the great dominant thrust is one of grand celebration. This year, we forego the celebration but will stand amazed. The story of how the Americans gained their independence from Britain is a grand and amazing story. The Israel story is more amazing by far.