The government decided on Wednesday not to hold the traditional torch lighting ceremony marking the transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day after weather conditions pose a danger to public safety. A recording of the dress rehearsal will be broadcast instead.
Ynetnews will also broadcast the recorded ceremony with English voice over.
Dry conditions and high winds have already caused massive forest fires in the hills of Jerusalem, prompting evacuations of residents from area communities and the closing of major highways.
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Filmed rehearsal of the annual torch lighting ceremony marking the beginning of Independence Day
(Screenshot)
The decision to cancel the ceremony came after Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who was in charge of the event, consulted with the head of Israel's Meteorological Service.
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However not all of the people chosen to light a torch in the ceremony were present during the filming of the rehearsal including Eli Sharabi who was released from captivity in Gaza after he was abducted during the massacre of October 7 and whose wife and two daughters were murdered by the terrorists.