Independence | Israel news feed

The Israeli prime minister and his wife, absent from the state Independence Day ceremony out of cowardice, prerecorded a speech that contained no hint of taking responsibility – which all the TV networks were happy to air as though the event were live

If the transition between Israel's Memorial Day and Independence Day has always felt a bit awkward, this year, the ritual is indisputably inappropriate and out of place. Two alternative ceremonies might be a sign that more and more Israelis won't take part in the stately show

According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel and its West Bank settlements population is expected to reach over 10 million by next year's Independence Day

Likud Minister Miri Regev expressed regret that, given the challenging circumstances, the 76th Independence Day ceremony could not proceed in accordance with tradition. Two years ago, the fireworks display was also nixed citing objections from military veterans who suffer from PTSD

The population has grown by 1.9% or 189,000 since last Independence Day, the Central Bureau of Statistics reports.