Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife along with Minister of Sport & Culture Miri Regev met with the Israelis selected to light the Independence Day torches this year ahead of the ceremony.

Next week, on Independence Day 69, they will light the torches in the official state ceremony.

While 5 Iyar falls on Sunday night and Monday, festivities are pushed off a day since Independence Day is preceded by Memorial Day and if the latter began on motzei Shabbos, this would result in widespread chilul Shabbos. Hence, Memorial Day is observed this year on Sunday night and Monday, and Independence Day on Monday night and Tuesday, 6 Iyar.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)