Independence Day to be celebrated on Thursdays only?

Ministerial Committee to debate bill proposal calling to set fixed date for Yom Haazmaut holiday; 'Bill will enable bereaved families to better prepare for holiday,' says Minister Misezhnikov

Reuters | Published: 05.17.12, 13:59

The Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs is set to debate on Sunday a bill proposed by MK Lia Shemtov (Yisrael Beiteinu), calling to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut (Israeli Independence Day), every year on the Thursday of the week Israel declared its independence.

According to the bill's explanation "the heads of State did not take into consideration that the actual date of Israel's declaration of independence, which falls on the 5th of Iyar (according to the Hebrew calendar), occasionally falls on the weekend."

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The bill was initiated by Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov, but was further promoted with the help of Shemtov.

Shemtov noted that "due to the legislative alteration regarding Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day), Yom Haatzmaut almost always falls on a Thursday. Therefore, we've proposed to permanently celebrate the holiday on the Thursday of the week Israel declared its independence."

"A fixed official date will help local municipalities and citizens to better prepare for the holiday, and prevent the shock of finding out the holiday has fallen on the weekend," Shemtov added.

Misezhnikov, who also heads the Knesset's Ministerial Committee on Ceremonies and Symbols, said that "setting a fixed date for the holiday celebrations will prevent unnecessary sabbaticals in the middle of the week, which somewhat damage the Israeli economy."

"The new bill will enable bereaved families to better plan and prepare for both the Memorial Day and Independence Day, and will also help prevent desecration of the Sabbath," he added.