As the Jewish community celebrated Israel Independence Day today, world leaders came out to offer their well wishes for Yom Ha’atzmaut, as well. President Barack Obama, who earlier wrote a personal letter to his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres, released a statement from the White House today. "The unique relationship between Israel and the United States is founded on an unbreakable commitment to Israel’s security, and anchored by common interests and deeply held values,” he said. “These …More

A Haaretz writer envisions a middle road for Israeli politics, somewhere between the far left and far right. [Haaretz] And a Haaretz reporter dreams of how lauded Israel will be on her 100th birthday. [Haaretz] Elsewhere, the factory where Oskar Schindler famously saved 1,200 Jews is facing a crisis. [Times of Israel] And transcripts from a secret soldiers’ interview sheds new light on the Yom Kippur War. [Haaretz] A Daily Beast contributor attributes his Zionism to a recognition of the deep unfairness …More

Last night marked the start of Yom Ha'atzmaut, an annual celebration of Israel's independence 64 years ago. Jewish groups across the globe honored the day in style, with a series of parties, events and series aimed at paying tribute to the Jewish state. With so many Jews living it up, Yom Ha'atzmaut 2012 turned into one giant birthday bash in honor of the Holy Land. Jspace got in on the fun, throwing an Israeli Independence Day celebration at LAVO, a New York City nightclub. Hundreds showed up for the dance …More

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres are using YouTube to reach out to Jews around the world. The two leaders each posted a video to the site this week, with messages of celebration for Israel’s 64th birthday today. Peres spoke about the Jewish state’s movement from fantasy to reality: “We started as a doubt, we wound up as a miracle. Little land, scarce water, hostile environment, no natural resources, actually nothing but dangers. And yet this country shone. The …More

Events across Israel honor Yom Ha’atzmaut today, with more than one million Israelis taking to the streets to celebrate. [Times of Israel] Elsewhere, Hilary Clinton gives an Independence Day address, saying the US and the Jewish state have an “unbreakable bond.” [Ynet] The Jerusalem Post explores the connection between Passover and Israeli Independence Day. [Jerusalem Post] And Israeli singer Shlomo Artzi’s new CD hits shelves, but Haaretz isn’t a fan. [Haaretz] Meanwhile, The …More

Israel may be a small cubic inch on the world map, but there’s a whole lot more going on there than meets the eye. While most in the Jewish community have heard some of Israel’s most impressive statistics, like its famed track record for science and development, there may be some facts that still surprise. The 100th smallest country in the world, with less than .001% of the world’s residents, Israel has a total population of 7,881,000, a 1.8 percent increase from one year ago. About 75 percent …More

A siren will sound across the Jewish state at 8 pm this evening, signaling the start of Yom Hazikaron, the Israeli Memorial Day. The sound will mark the commencement of the day’s events, when nearly 23,000 fallen soldiers will be remembered, including 126 that died this past year. The government will provide public transportation for the estimated one million Israelis planning to visit the nation’s military cemeteries. As is tradition, mourners will place small Israeli flags embellished with black …More