Israel came to a halt for two minutes on Wednesday when sirens sounded, as the country marks its annual Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.
As the sirens wailed at 11 am (0800 GMT), pedestrians stopped in their tracks, vehicles came to a halt and drivers and passengers left their cars to stand to attention.
Many Israelis honour the fallen by visiting military cemeteries across the country, where memorial ceremonies are held.
According to the Defence Ministry, a total of 23,741 people have been killed in hostile acts since 1860, when Jews first ventured to live outside the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.
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They include soldiers killed in wars, from the fighting that erupted before and as Israel declared statehood in 1948, to the 2014 Gaza war, however also people killed in militant attacks in recent years.
Memorial Day, held according to Jewish tradition from sunset to sunset the following day and marked by the Hebrew calendar, is due to end when celebrations for Israel at 71st Independence Day begin.
Israel traditionally marks its Independence Day a week after its national Holocaust Remembrance Day.
This is to symbolise its rebirth from the ashes of the attempted Nazi genocide of the Jews of Europe and immediately after its Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers, a reminder that statehood came at a price. (NAN)
