Yom Yerushalayim
Yom Yerushalayim is held every year on 28 of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar to mark the reunification of Jerusalem ahead of the six-day war in 1967.
Also known as Jerusalem Day, in the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in the month of May or June.
This day is a symbolism of national pride and gratitude celebrated across Israel with memorial services, official state ceremonies, and public celebrations.
The holiday marks a significant moment in Israeli history as it celebrates the country's control over the Old City and access to the Western Wall.
History of Yom Yerushalayim
The story of Yom Yerushalayim goes back to the year 1947.
A plan also known as the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan to divide Palestine which was still under British control into two states - one for Jews and another for Arabs was proposed by the United Nations.
According to this plan, Jerusalem would be an international city for ten years and after that residents could vote to choose whether to join the Jewish state or the Arab state.
The Jewish leadership accepted this proposal, including the international status of Jerusalem, but the Arab side rejected it.
A war broke out between the Jewish forces and Arab armies across the world after the declaration of Israel's independence in 1948. This was the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
During this war, Jordan took over East Jerusalem including the Old City and Israel took control of the western section.
As a result, Jerusalem became a divided city that was separated by the Green Line and under Jordanian rule, Jewish residents were forced out of East Jerusalem, and many Jewish religious sites were destroyed or repurposed.
Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinian Arabs fled West Jerusalem due to violence and looting.
During 1967, the tensions between Israel and its Arabian neighbors led to the Six-Day War.
The Israeli forces captured East Jerusalem on June 7 and took the city under its control and reunited in under the Israeli rule.
Moshe Dayan, the Defense Minister or the Knesset declared that Jerusalem was now whole again on the very same day and promised freedom of worship for all religions in 1998.
After a few weeks, Israel expanded the borders of Jerusalem and included the entire eastern part of the city and surrounding areas.
The Jerusalem Law was passed by the Israeli government in 1980 and declared Jerusalem as Israel's “complete and united capital.”
Ethiopian Jews' Memorial Day
Since 2011, Jerusalem Day has also served as a memorial for Ethiopian Jews who lost their lives while trying to immigrate to Israel during Operation Moses and Operation Solomon in the 1980s and 1990s. A special ceremony takes place on Mount Herzl to honor their memory.
The Religious Importance of the Day
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel deemed Jerusalem Day as a minor religious holiday that highlights the significance of restoring Jewish access to the Western Wall.
Many Religious Zionists recite Hallel with a blessing, though some scholars, like Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, believe it should be recited without one.
However, some Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish groups do not observe Jerusalem Day because they do not see the modern State of Israel as having religious significance. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein also opposed creating new religious holidays.
Celebrations of Yom Yerushalayim
The celebrations of Yom Yerushalayim features several videos and events that embody the historical, religious, and the cultural significance of the city.
Celebrations are marked by the Dance of Flags Parade, which is a large scale procession where many people march through the streets of Jerusalem waving Israeli flags and ending at the Western Wall.
Government officials hold state ceremonies, deliver official speeches, and conduct memorial services to commemorate the reunification of the city.
Religious Zionist communities recite Hallel prayers in synagogues, expressing gratitude and praise.
Educational institutions organize discussions, lectures, and programs to explore Jerusalem’s history and heritage, while community events such as tours, exhibitions, and cultural activities further enrich the celebrations.
In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, Israel marked the occasion with special exhibitions, historical tours, and the unveiling of the ancient “Pilgrims' Route” leading to the Temple Mount, along with the introduction of a unique commemorative logo.
Controversies
- Many Arabs see Jerusalem Day as a reminder of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
- Some Israeli left-wing groups oppose the holiday and advocate for a diplomatic resolution regarding the city's status.
- The Dance of Flags parade often causes tensions as it passes through Muslim-majority areas of the Old City. Israeli courts have ruled that police must prevent racist or violent chants during the event.
- In 2014, the Meretz party proposed repealing the Jerusalem Day Law, arguing that it deepens political divisions.
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