Israel marks sombre Memorial Day for fallen soldiers

CP780299694
A group of tourists overlook Jerusalem\'s Old City during preparation for a ceremony to mark Israel\'s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers at the Mount of Olives cemetery in east Jerusalem, Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Israel will mark the annual Memorial Day in remembrance of soldiers who died in the nation\'s conflicts, beginning at dusk Tuesday until Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

JERUSALEM – Israelis have come to a two-minute standstill to remember fallen soldiers and victims of terror as the country marked Memorial Day, one of the most sombre days on the Israeli calendar.

A siren rang out at 11 a.m. as motorists pulled over on the sides of highways and roads and pedestrians stopped in their tracks.

Israelis are attending remembrance ceremonies across the country Wednesday. Radio and television networks are broadcasting programs about battle and loss.

The melancholic atmosphere is to end abruptly at sundown, when Independence Day celebrations start.

This Memorial Day comes as Israel faces an eight month-long wave of Palestinian violence that has killed 28 Israelis. About 200 Palestinians have been killed. Israel says most of them have been attackers. The rest died in clashes with Israeli troops.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles