Yom Hazikaron (Hebrew: יום הזכרון לחללי מערכות ישראל ולנפגעי פעולות האיבה‎, lit. Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day) is Israel's official Memorial Day. In 2010, Israel honored the memory of 22,684 soldiers killed in the line of duty^[1] and 3,971 civilian terror victims.^[2]

Yom Hazikron is the day on which Israel honors its war veterans. National memorial services are held in the presence of Israel's top leadership and military personnel. The day opens the preceding evening at 20:00 (8:00 pm), given that in the Hebrew calendar system days begin at sunset, with a siren. The siren is heard all over the country and lasts for one minute, during which Israelis stop everything (including driving, which stops highways) and stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect. Many national-religious Jews say prayers for the souls of the fallen soldiers at this time as well. The official ceremony to mark the opening of the day takes place at the Western Wall, at which time the flag of Israel is lowered to half staff.

(... from Wikipedia on 2010-07-30 21:47:06 )