Israel’s traditional torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, marking the start of its 77th Independence Day, was canceled Wednesday due to extreme weather and raging wildfires across the country.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who oversees this year’s event, announced that instead of the live ceremony, a recording of the final dress rehearsal—held and taped the previous day—will be broadcast in its place. The pre-recorded ceremony aired on Ynetnews with English voiceover.
Watch the full ceremony with English voiceover
At the start of the ceremony, singer and cantor Dudu Fisher offered a prayer for the return of the hostages, accompanied by violinist Agam Berger, a recently freed hostage who was released in the second exchange deal. Just last week, Berger also performed at the March of the Living in Poland.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a pre-recorded address during the ceremony, emphasizing the state’s unwavering commitment to securing the hostages’ release: “We are committed to bringing home all our brothers and sisters still held in captivity—every last one.”
He added, “Throughout the generations, the people of Israel have always risen from crisis. Today, we have an army, a state, and security forces with brave fighters. I am filled with pride when I meet them. This is the unbreakable spirit—the true spirit—of our people. A generation of lions. A generation of victory. You, dear citizens of Israel, embrace them with immense love. Even when we disagree, we stand united in unparalleled mutual responsibility and resilience.”
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also addressed the gathering: “At this solemn hour, we remember the price of independence—the highest price paid by the finest sons and daughters of this country who fought, sacrificed and gave their lives so we could continue fulfilling the hope, the dream of 100 generations, to be a free people in our land—the land of Zion and Jerusalem. We bow our heads before you, the bereaved families. The entire nation lowers its flag in memory of your loved ones—our loved ones—recognizing that without them, we would not have independence. Our lives here are thanks to them. We know the longing does not fade with time, and we stand with you in your pain. Always.”
Ohana addressed the hostages directly, saying: “Even this evening, the State of Israel is not whole, because 59 of our brothers and sisters remain in captivity in Gaza. I speak to them now, hoping they can hear me—and I speak to their families: The State of Israel is committed to bringing you all home, each and every one of you. Just as we succeeded in bringing most of the hostages back since the war began—we will bring back the rest. We will not stop until the mission is complete—and it will happen, with God’s help, soon in our days. And we say: Amen.”
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Former hostage Emily Damari lit a torch in honor of the hostages and declared: “I, Emily Tehila Damari, daughter of Amanda and Avichai Damari—may they live long—light this torch in honor of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas. We must do everything to bring them home! And in honor of Ziv and Gali Berman, my dear ones, who lived next door to me in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and in captivity, just one floor above. Gali and Zivy—I promise you: we’ll see pink sunsets again together!
“In memory of the 64 victims of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, including two of my close friends, Daniel Peled and Yuval Salomon, of blessed memory—our hearts will never be whole without you. In honor of the Holy One, blessed be He, who gave me the strength to survive captivity and return on my feet to this country and this people I love so deeply. In honor of the ability to mourn what we’ve lost—but even more, to take pride in what we still have, and to rejoice in the good that is yet to come.”