JERUSALEM — Israel commemorated its 77th Independence Day with a solemn torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, spotlighting the unity and enduring spirit of a nation sustaining itself amidst decades of conflict and adversity. This year’s ceremony—held under heightened security and a somber national mood following the October 7th Hamas massacre—featured tributes from two distinguished Israel Defense Forces officers, whose words reflected the heavy costs and prevailing resolve of Israeli society.
The annual Independence Day ceremony, a cornerstone of national identity since 1948, serves to honor both individual heroism and the collective memory that binds Israel together. This year, the participants included Lt. Col. Faiz Fares, celebrated as a representative of Israel’s steadfast Druze minority, and Lt. Col. (res.) Hagit Alon Elharar, a bereaved mother and veteran officer.
Fares, hailing from the Druze village of Hurfeish, dedicated his torch to the fallen and to the perseverance of IDF soldiers and their commanders. He emphasized the partnership of the Druze community with broader Israeli society, underscoring its commitment to values of loyalty, sacrifice, and unity—even through the most challenging times. His remarks stood as a rebuttal to efforts by groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to divide Israel along sectarian lines, instead highlighting an unbreakable national partnership forged in shared service and sacrifice.
Alon Elharar dedicated her torch to her lost son and to all families throughout Israel grieving the loss of loved ones in military service. Speaking to the enduring pain and the resilience of bereaved families, she affirmed their determination to carry on and to continue supporting their communities and the nation at large. Her testimony reflected the lived reality of thousands who have been personally touched by ongoing wars, and the inner strength that continues to propel Israeli society forward.
The ceremony unfolded against the backdrop of unprecedented violence emanating from Gaza since the October 7th massacre—widely recognized as the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust. That atrocity, in which Hamas terrorists killed over 1,200 people and abducted over 240—including women, children, and the elderly—signaled the current phase of war with Iran-backed proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and beyond. In response, the IDF, under the direction of Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, has undertaken an extensive defensive campaign—’Iron Swords War’—to protect Israeli civilians and restore deterrence.
The role of the Druze in Israel’s national story is integral. As a small but loyal minority—numbering approximately 150,000—the Druze community’s contributions to the defense establishment are widely regarded with respect. Many Druze have risen to high ranks within the IDF and security services, demonstrating a level of civic integration and patriotic commitment unmatched anywhere else in the region.
For Israel’s bereaved families, the Independence Day torch-lighting provides a rare moment of national recognition for their sacrifice. The ongoing nature of asymmetric warfare—rocket barrages, terrorist infiltration, and cross-border attacks by Iranian-supported groups—means each Israeli generation faces the persistent threat of loss. Yet, as exemplified by Alon Elharar’s words, these families continue to choose hope, service, and a forward-facing outlook.
The ceremony’s central themes of unity, remembrance, and collective resilience were amplified by the nation’s ongoing security responsibilities. Israeli military actions—consistently characterized as defensive and focused on protecting civilians—stand in stark contrast to the deliberate targeting of innocents by terror organizations such as Hamas. Even as the IDF works to minimize harm amid complex operational realities, the distinction between Israel’s conduct and that of its adversaries remains clear.
Independence Day festivities thus provided an opportunity to publicly reaffirm Israel’s shared values, its diversity, and its cross-communal bonds. They also sent a message to adversaries that Israeli society will not be fractured by external threats or internal tension. The ceremony continues to symbolize the unyielding commitment of Israelis—of every background—to defend their democratic state, uphold its moral foundations, and remember those who fell in its defense.
Looking ahead, Israel faces continued regional and strategic challenges. Iran’s ongoing involvement in arming, training, and financing terror groups across the region—most notably Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen—shows no sign of abating. The torch-lighting ceremony, attended by senior leaders, bereaved families, and soldiers from across the country, stands as a testament to a society that honors sacrifice, pursues justice, and remains determined to overcome any threat.
In closing, the 77th torch-lighting ceremony encapsulated the struggle and triumph inherent in Israel’s story—a story of a people united by memory, fortified by loss, and unwavering in their resolve to defend their nation against every adversary.
