[VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Hundreds of people stood in silence with the empty Kotel in the background as the siren commemorating Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Day of Remembrance, sounded in memory of 25,578 soldiers who had fallen as well as victims of terrorist attacks. Following the siren, the official ceremony at the Kotel Plaza commenced with the lighting of the memorial torch. The audience was addressed by Israeli President Shimon Peres as well as IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz. Heavy security cleared out all unauthorized personnel for the occasion as well as covering all line-of-sight points to the Kosel Plaza. Most stores in Jerusalem remained closed for the day, as streets could be seen deserted, with public transportation operating on a limited basis.

Credits: Kuvien Images – www.kuvienimages.com

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos.

Click HERE to watch this video, which has been loaded in the YWN Video section, found at the top of the homepage. Dozens of new videos are added each day.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)