- Title: JERUSALEM: Israel's Netanyahu and Peres attend Memorial Day ceremonies
- Date: 9th May 2011
- Summary: JERUSALEM (MAY 8, 2011) (REUTERS) ===DAY SHOTS=== AUDIENCE GATHERED AT MEMORIAL CEREMONY ISRAELI FLAGS SOLDIERS ON STAGE SINGING VARIOUS OF SOLDIER STANDING NEAR MEMORIAL FLAME, SALUTING ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU APPROACHING PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING: "During the past year, a big upheaval has struck the Middle East, fortresses have fallen, leaders have fallen, and the turmoil hasn't ended yet. But as the days go by, one thing is getting clearer and clearer: Israel is a lonely island of freedom, of democracy, of progress in a big dark space."
- Embargoed: 24th May 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jerusalem, Jerusalem
- City:
- Country: Israel
- Topics: History
- Reuters ID: LVABZM2Q6V7D6VFGCCWKUESS38S4
- Story Text: Israelis attended solemn ceremonies on Sunday evening (May 8) to mark the beginning of Memorial Day in the Jewish State.
The holiday honours soldiers killed in battle and civilians killed in attacks against Israelis.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry website, a total of 22,867 men, women and children have been killed since 1860, the year when Jews first ventured outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City to build new Jewish neighborhoods. The vast majority of the fallen are soldiers killed since Israel gained statehood in 1948. Since Memorial Day a year ago, 183 members of the security forces and 13 civilians have died.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at one ceremony that Israel is a "lonely island of freedom" in the Middle East.
"During the past year, a big upheaval has struck the Middle East, fortresses have fallen, leaders have fallen, and the turmoil hasn't ended yet. But as the days go by, one thing is getting clearer and clearer: Israel is a lonely island of freedom, of democracy, of progress in a big dark space," Netanyahu said.
At a later ceremony near the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, participants paused as Israelis across the country observed a minute of silence.
Israeli President Shimon Peres said during the ceremony that the Jewish state will always seek peace.
"We didn't look for wars. They were forced upon us. But when we were attacked, we didn't get permission to lose even one of them. After we won, we once again seeked peace. We were realistic then and we are still ready today. In any situation, we will not let go the chance for full, real, peace. If one opportunity will be lost, we will seek a new opportunity," Peres said.
A series of memorial ceremonies will take place in Israel during the day Monday, but at sundown Israel will begin to celebrate its Independence Day holiday. The two holidays coincide with one another every year. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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