Following Purim Request, Jerusalem Cancels Fireworks for Independence Day

People watch a fireworks display kicking off celebrations for Israel’s Independence Day, marking the 73rd anniversary of the creation of the state, in Tel Aviv, Israel April 14, 2021. REUTERS/Corinna Kern

Following calls to forgo toy explosives for the Jewish holiday of Purim last week, the Jerusalem municipality announced that this year’s Israeli Independence Day events will be held without them as well.

“The city of Jerusalem is preparing for Independence Day events and to mark the establishment of the State of Israel, and in the spirit of the times, the events will take place this year in the shadow of the ongoing war [against Hamas in Gaza] and the many people for whom the sounds of explosives evoke uncomfortable feelings,” read a statement from the municipality.

“Independence Day events will begin at the end of Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism (Yom HaZikaron in Hebrew) who fell in the wars and whose death commanded us life,” the statement continued. “This year, Independence Day will be celebrated in Jerusalem with a salute to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and the security forces, to the martyrs and their families, to the wounded and abductees. We will all offer a prayer for their speedy return from captivity, for their health, and for strengthening the strength and glory of the State of Israel.”

The decision to cancel fireworks and other loud noises that normally accompany celebrations such as Independence Day came amid the war in Gaza to Israel’s south and the daily rocket attacks by Hezbollah terrorists in the north, both of which have contributed to fear of sparking trauma among soldiers returning from the front.

According to mental health officials, the psyche of soldiers and civilians since the outbreak of war on Oct. 7 has become a huge issue facing the country. Professionals have estimated that every Israeli — civilian and soldier — is undergoing some sort of trauma since the mass terror attack of Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, killed more than 1,200 people, and took 253 others as hostages. Mounting evidence has documented Hamas’ systematic use of torture and sexual violence, including mass rape, against the Israeli people during the onslaught.

Against such a backdrop, the IDF called on the public to refrain from using toy explosives on Purim out of respect for soldiers, with the army releasing a moving video of a group of soldiers pleading with the public to avoid using the toys so as not to bring them mentally and emotionally back to Gaza.

Independence Day, called Yom Haatzmaut in Hebrew, marks the day when David Ben-Gurion, who became Israel’s first prime minister, declared in 1948 the establishment of the new Jewish state. The festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar — this year on May 14, which happens to correspond with the same Gregorian date from 1948 — and features celebrations throughout the country, including the largest of which in the capital of Jerusalem.

This year’s celebration is the 76th anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel.

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