(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

The accompanying photos are of the official Israel Police Memorial Day ceremony on Mount Herzl. Taking place were top officers including President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and other senior state officials and Israel Police Chief Roni Alsheich and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott. Heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet were also present, as were Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky.

Memorial Day is one of national reflection and mourning for the members of the various security agencies killed since the establishment of the state as well as persons killed in terrorist attacks. 3,177 Jews have been murdered in terrorist attacks since the establishment of the State in 1948.

Sirens sounded nationwide on Monday, at 11:00AM, marking the beginning of the day’s events and official ceremonies. The official state ceremony for victims of terror began at 1:00PM on Mount Herzl as well.

From 1860 until the end of April 2017, the officials number of persons killed stands at 23,544. Since Memorial Day 2016 there were 60 additional fallen along with 37 disabled veterans who died of complication directly related to their injures.

Bituach Leumi lists the number of fallen since the establishment of the state at 3,117 including 122 foreign residents murdered in attacks in Israel and 100 Israelis murdered in attacks abroad. The attacks have left 109 orphans without any parents and 826 widows and widowers along with 939 bereaved parents.

At 8:00PM on Monday night, the nation will mark the sharp transition from the somber day to Independence Day 69. Independence Day is a national holiday and all government and private businesses are closed. Hospitals and other essential agencies operate on special holiday schedules.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)