Ready to Celebrate Israel’s 64th Independence Day

If you are not in Jerusalem this week

you are missing out on a very special time,

as Jerusalem gets ready for Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day.

The weather has been cool and sunny during the day, with clear blue skies,

as the streets fill with blue and white Israeli flags.

At major intersections someone is usually selling flags for car windows.

Even Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu stopped his motorcade to buy a flag.

It is reported that he gave the seller a 5 shekel tip.

I wonder how you report that for taxes?

As you can see,

in some neighborhoods business has been very good this year.

This flag was one I had not seen before. It reads “God, He is King.”

The long Israeli flags are flying and ready for Independence Day,

but yesterday I was lucky to see…

the dress rehearsal of planes as they flew over

the Knesset Building

and the Israel Museum.

They were fast, loud and high in the sky as they flew away from Jerusalem.

There was time for one photo as they were coming towards me,

just before they split from their perfect formation.

This morning, the sad music on the radio has begun…

for first we will experience the flames and tears of Yom Hazikaron,

Remembrance Day for the fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

After remembering those lost in war and to terror attacks,

then it will be time to celebrate Israel’s 64th Independence Day.