Jerusalem Day

A full week celebrating Jerusalem 59

Sharon A

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, was May 14, 2026, until Friday evening, May 15.

Jerusalem Day is the Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem following the Six-Day War in 1967. 

This year, with a full week of celebrations, it was hard to keep up.

A large banner was posted – ‘Jerusalem 59 – Happy Holiday’ near the walls of the Old City, by Jaffa Gate.

Flags were blowing in the breeze, lining the street by the Tower of David.

For the second year, the Tower of David hosted a Jerusalem Quiz for middle school students.

During an interlude from the questions about Jerusalem, the Montefiores stopped by.

One of the questions was where the Tower of David is cited in sources. Did you know?

The organizers want to make this an annual international event.

I thought I knew a lot about Jerusalem, but these young people knew a lot more.

Interestingly, the winner does not live in Jerusalem; she attends a secular girls’ school in Jerusalem.

To say her teacher was proud would be an understatement.

Also, in the lead-up to Jerusalem Day, an event was held at the Jerusalem International Conference Center led by President Isaac Herzog. “Time to Talk” to build hope for the future was the theme.

Actress Gal Gadot was one of the featured participants.

However, there were many impressive presenters from a wide variety of fields, including sports. Moran Samuel, the Israeli Paralympic basketball player and world champion rower, was one sporting hero.

More photos HERE

For Yom Yerushalayim 59, the Old City Walls were lit with a happy holiday greeting with flags.

The Knesset was covered with blue and white lights as the Israeli flags flew above.

The official celebrations in Yerushalayim begin in the morning, with the Prime Minister and President speaking at the State Memorial Ceremony for Ethiopian Jews who perished on their journey to Israel.

At nightfall, the President and Prime Minister spoke at the state ceremony marking 59 years since the liberation and unification of Jerusalem at Ammunition Hill.

However, the major event was on Thursday during the day.

Tens of thousands of people came from the north and south to celebrate.

Every inch of King George Street fills with crowds, singing and dancing before walking to the Kotel, the Western Wall.

Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park, was filled with young families in the afternoon.

The crowd at Damascus Gate was large and mostly male teens.

Schools had buses bring their teachers and students.

The media were positioned on both sides of the plaza at Damascus Gate.

Senior police were let through to observe.

Current Israeli ministers marched with their flags and supporters.

Political hopefuls also had their party flags and supporters.

Security was on the lookout throughout the route.

The beautiful horses were also patrolling.

Thouands came and went from Damascus Gate without incident.

Outside the walls of the Old City, in what was No Man’s Land from 1948-1967, it was easy to find the direction for afternoon prayers.

Musicians were performing loudly at Tzahal Square.

As usual, the crowds of tens of thousands of people do not make headlines.

This woman was slowly walking toward Damascus Gate, late in the afternoon.

The crowd did not let up; people kept coming.

So this year, I did not take the route through the Old City.

It gets difficult to walk the narrow Via Dolorosa to the Kotel, Western Wall, because of the number of people.

My big complaint was the mess left behind on Agron Street.

Many synagogues throughout Jerusalem had musical evening services.

Ohel Nechama Synagogue had the Leviim Choir on Thursday night for Yom Yerushalayim.

Come and see Jerusalem Day for yourself.

Experience. Music. Prayer. Dancing. Singing.

I stayed away for the first few years after making aliyah. What a mistake.

I started The Real Jerusalem Streets because what I was seeing was not what the media shared.

Share what is really happening.

I have a hundred more photos I could show you, but for now – More photos HERE

The annual International Writers’ Festival at Mishkanot Shaanamim is scheduled for May 25-28.

Wall mural of ten commandments in Jerusalem Cinema City

Shavuot begins Thursday night, so onto the next days of celebrations.

Chag Sameach!

Jerusalem Day 2025: Photos mainstream media did not share

Sharon A

Why did The Real Jerusalem Streets start 15 years ago?

Because what I saw walking on the Jerusalem streets seldom matched what the media shared.

Now, there are close to 15,000 photos published on The Real Jerusalem Streets’ old photo essays.

At first, I avoided the annual Flag Parade/March on Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, because of negative stories in the media. Then, year after year, I walked the parade route.

Yes, there was a crowded scene outside Damascus Gate.

There is also a known spot inside Damascus Gate where international media stand ready for a troublemaker’s winning photo and headline story.

Further along the Via Dolorosa route, closer to the exit to the Western Wall Plaza, it narrows to a crush.

So, what was the Yom Yerushalayim march really like this year?

This incredible view started my day on Monday of Yom Yerushalayim 2025. You see the tower of the YMCA, and in the distance is the King David Hotel. Jerusalem, beyond that in the distance, including the Old City, was occupied by Jordan from 1948-1967.

Going into that No Man’s Land on the other side of the hotel meant Jordanian sniper bullets.

Israeli Ethiopian memorial in cemetery on Mount Herzl

Yom Yerushalayim has also been hallmarked as a memorial day to the thousands of Ethiopians who died making the arduous trek from Sudan on their way to Zion. The memorial is in Har Herzl military cemetery, where an official ceremony is held in the morning.

Also, this year, in the morning, the Prime Minister and Jerusalem Mayor announced a plan to restore the Mamilla Pool, though the sign has been up for months.

Mamilla Pool with water after heavy spring rain

It does look a bit better after heavy spring rain, as published here in March 2022.

I wondered if the thousands of people on their way to the Kotel knew they had walked by it.

On Yom Yerushalayim, flags line many of the Jerusalem streets.

The walls of the Old City were illuminated with flags for the 58th year of the reunification of Jerusalem.

A giant flag was unfurled as the sky turned dark on Sunday night at the Kotel, Western Wall Plaza.

Smaller flags of Jerusalem and Israel were waved by the crowd of people of all ages.

Thousands filled the Kotel to pray with the special musical service live-streamed on YouTube.

Special visitor US National Security Secretary Kristine Noem made the Western Wall the first stop on her brief trip to Jerusalem. She was accompanied by security and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Janet Huckabee, wearing the bright jacket in a sea of black and white, hugged Noem on their way out.

This Jerusalem cat was out and on guard on Sunday night as people filled the Rova, Jewish Quarter.

After multiple morning prayer services, the main event on Yom Yerushalayim begins in the afternoon.

Blue and white is the preferred attire, and this woman agreed to show off her holiday dress.

Politicians appeared briefly on the Jerusalem streets along the parade route.

Not everyone wore blue and white, and for sure, not everyone was a teenage rowdy male.

While security was on high alert, this police officer shared his motorcycle with young admirers.

Thousands and thousands came out on the Jerusalem streets despite the high temperature this year.

With white shirts and T-shirts of all kinds, they marched through in groups from the starting point.

While an occasional politician made his way slowly through the crowd by car.

One smoke bomb, I did not understand, but another opportunity for groups to stop and sing together.

Media reports did not share the young families that participated.

This year, security had marching groups more regulated to reduce crowding.

You could find a bit of everything if you looked for it. Chabad with flags. Third Temple flags, and more.

How many photos did you see of the girls and young women on King George Street?

With flags, singing, and marching in such a crowd of thousands, I had to stop and wait to pass by.

One officer found a new way to make his way through the crowd.

This was the main live music stand this year on King George Street across from the Great Synagogue.

I made my way across the street to the stage to show the size of the crowd.

Despite the weather and high temperatures, people came in large numbers.

The thousands of girls gathered near Bezalel Street seemed to go on and on as they came by.

The thousands of marchers ended at the Kotel as Yom Yerushalayim at nightfall..

However, those peacefully praying, no matter how many more, are not considered newsworthy.

Signs line the Jerusalem streets, not only those celebrating Yom Yerushalayim, but also Jerusalem saying thank you to the reservists’ families during this difficult time of prolonged war.

Even with war, the skyline is changing. Jerusalem building goes up and up, as the roads back up with closures for light rail construction.

This year Yom Yerushalayim.

“Next year in Jerusalem” was in the ancient prayers in Ethiopia and is said until now.

Hope you can see the real Jerusalem streets yourself, soon.

Cheesecakes have been prepared for the holiday of Shavuot.

No downtime on the real Jerusalem streets.

Chag samech – happy holiday to all.

What you did not see in Jerusalem this week

Sharon A

The Real Jerusalem Streets was started because what was reported in the media was not what I saw every day walking around the Jerusalem streets.

So what was happening in Jerusalem that did not make the international headlines?

Eight months into a war – this week in Jerusalem, Israel.

Buildings in Jerusalem are rising higher, as seen from the Nefesh BeNefesh Campus at Cinema City.

Road construction is challenging as one never knows what will be open or closed.

At NBN the audience was filled with young adults at the evening session of a financial conference on Sunday night. Seeing all the English-speaking Olim asking questions and learning how to live financially smarter lives in Israel was an impressive way to begin the week.

There are colorful quilts exhibited at the Jerusalem Theater, art, and culture with music each night.

Colorful lights line the footbridge over the Hinnom Valley at night.

New signs are posted for the upcoming events, on the right is for Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day.

Yom Yerushalayim is celebrated for more than one day, as there are events most of the week. One program at night was held at First Station, Takhana HaRishona.

These two women strolled through the audience, as the music began after speeches.

As usual, the crowds at Damascus Gate get international attention.

Since most of the reports on Jerusalem Day over the years are critical and negative, I again walked the entire route to see for myself.

The FlagDance/Parade/March (whatever you want to call it) begins for the men on King George Street.

The street was so crowded I decided not to walk down to the Great Synagogue as usual.

As usual, I found the number of baby strollers to be the most dangerous part of the route.

Spectators lined the route along Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park.

Security was heavy with many roads closed. My neighbors were on the way to dinner and not allowed to walk this way on the day of the Pride Parade last week.

At the corner near Mamilla Mall, a sound truck was blasting music, with young men dancing on top.

As we turned toward Damascus Gate, a woman dressed as a bride was being photographed in the middle of the road and groups would sing and dance around her.

Emergency crews were prepared and ready to respond.

The gorgeous horses were ready and watching also.

As thousands and thousands of people, many with Israeli flags, walked quietly and peacefully.

At Damascus Gate security was visible from all angles.

Yes, the crowd was large and loud. I think much larger than in recent years that I have walked the route.

I got an early start, the way narrows, it’s very crowded, and is not so pleasant to be in.

Inside Damascus Gate, where each year media photographers wait to find trouble, was a female clown blowing bubbles and giving out little red heart stickers. This area is known as a “flash point” so anyone wanting trouble knows where to be and when, and again I missed violent interactions.

The security along the Via Dolorosa where the Flag Parade goes was lined with security.

When I say security, I mean police, border police, and more.

Walking were not rowdy teens, but individuals and school groups.

I wondered if they knew this young man was videoing everyone from a small camera.

I was told a YouTube influencer was doing a video here.

A father and son originally from the US stopped to pose with their flags.

Here you can see the extra layer of security this year.

Shops were closed. But many shops have had little business for the last 8 months because of the lack of tourists, because Hamas started a war on October 7.

While many places were selling bottled water, one woman poured cups of water to drink for free.

At the narrowing near the Kotel, Western Wall, I was relieved not to be stuck in a crowd.

At the Kotel Plaza, groups were dancing and singing for hours before the main event.

So the real news this year was the size of the crowd. Possibly 100,000 people celebrated the reunification of Jerusalem 57 years ago. The media focused on 18 rowdy individuals who were arrested and ignored the big picture.

As I headed home early, I passed these girls arriving by way of Jaffa Gate on the Armenian Way.

Thousands and thousands of young women, some louder than the boys.

They kept coming and coming

and coming, as I walked back on Agron Street.

The Jerusalem Flag/March/Parade was not about a few troublemaking male teens, but tens of thousands of people out on a warm day celebrating Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.

And on the way home, celebrations for the holiday of Shavuot this week had begun with these cheese tortes ready in the bakery window.

Chag Shavuot Sameach

Am Yisrael Chai!