Tonight begins Israel's Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron)

Israel will commemorate it's Memorial Day tonight, Tuesday evening, April 21, and Wednesday April 22; it begins at sunset and concludes the following evening. one of the most somber and emotional days on the Israeli calendar. It commemorates those who have given their lives to the State of Israel. Ceremonies are held throughout the country at schools, cemeteries and memorial sites. A one-minute siren is blown on the eve of the Memorial Day and a two-minute siren is blown on the morning of the Memorial Day. Throughout the siren, the country comes to a standstill. The public stops working, children stop playing, and the drivers stop driving. Each person stands in silence as the siren wails in memory of the fallen soldiers. It is a very emotional and difficult day in Israel as this small country remembers the many young soldiers who have given their lives so the Jewish State could exist.