On the eve of Yom HaZikaron, there is a final official ceremony on Mt Herzl, Israel's military cemetery. This marks the end of Memorial Day and the beginning of Independence Day. The week prior, the city geared up for this day with displays of flags...everywhere... ...at the dorms... ...on the sides of buildings... ...at the train station... ...at the beach... ...and sold in stores. Mannequins even love the Israeli flag. And this is Jewish graffiti I just put here for fun. It is important to note Arab Israelis' reactions to the festivities. On Wednesday evening, I was drawn from my room by sounds akin to gunfire. Of course I knew the source: fireworks. I walked downstairs to find the sky illuminated by fireworks from four sides. While Jewish Israelis were enjoying themselves at Rabin Square watching the fireworks, the Arab Israeli students sat strewn across the lawn in the middle of Broshim dorms, unsurprisingly left out of the celebrations. For, unlike Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers, celebrating self-determination is not necessarily a holiday that Arab Israelis can relate to, except those who support Israel. A friend went to her family friend's party in Ashkelon and they were joined by Arab Israeli families. Therefore, sentiments towards the holiday depend from person to person. No matter what, these two days: Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'Atzmaut are complicated times. |
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