An Israeli soldier wearing a protective face mask amid concerns over the country's coronavirus outbreak, lights candles next to graves of fallen soldiers on the eve of memorial Day in Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, April 27, 2020. This year the government had banned public memorial services at military cemeteries as part of its measures to help stop the spread of the virus. Israel marks the annual Memorial Day in remembrance of soldiers who died in the nation's conflicts, beginning at dusk Monday until Tuesday evening. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel came to a standstill for a minute on Monday evening to mark the beginning of the country’s memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of attacks.
The somber day of mourning comes as Israel is beginning to relax stringent measures meant to combat the country’s coronavirus outbreak. But with the memorial day and then Israeli Independence Day beginning Tuesday evening, Israel temporarily tightened restrictions meant to prevent gatherings and crowds that could set off new infections.
Typically, bereaved families visit cemeteries and attend memorial ceremonies. But this year Israel ordered military cemeteries to close and ceremonies are expected to be held without attendees or online.
The main ceremony at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, typically attended by bereaved families, dignitaries and political and military brass, was held for the first time with no crowd. Israel’s president and military chief of staff, among a small number of participants, wore face masks in line with heath regulations.
In an annual ritual, a two-minute siren will blare on Tuesday morning, again bringing Israel to a halt, with motorists pulling over to the sides of highways and pedestrians stopping in their tracks. Television and radio will cut their regular programming to air somber music, documentaries about slain soldiers, and broadcasts of state memorial services. Israeli soldiers wearing protective face masks amid concerns over the country’s coronavirus outbreak, stand next to graves of fallen soldiers on the eve of memorial Day in Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, April 27, 2020. This year the government had banned public memorial services at military cemeteries as part of its measures to help stop the spread of the virus. Israel marks the annual Memorial Day in remembrance of soldiers who died in the nation’s conflicts, beginning at dusk Monday until Tuesday evening. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israel has fought half a dozen wars with neighboring Arab countries, battled two Palestinian uprisings and endured dozens of deadly militant attacks since its founding in 1948. The country honors 23,816 fallen soldiers and more than 3,100 people killed in attacks.
At sundown Tuesday, the country will transition from solemn remembrance to joyous celebration, kicking off its 72nd Independence Day. Israelis, who typically enjoy beachside barbecues and gatherings with families to watch the annual airshow, will be under lockdown for the duration of the holiday and unable to leave their homes except under certain circumstances.
Israel has counted more than 15,000 coronavirus infections and just over 200 deaths. But it has slowed its infection rate and begun reopening shops. Schools are expected to begin to reopen next week.
An Israeli police officer patrolls minutes before a lockdown as Israeli visit graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** ירושלים כדור רגל אימון שיעור זוםIsraeli visit graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** ירושליםIsraeli soldier place flowers and salute on graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. 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This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli soldier place flowers and salute on graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli visit graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli soldier place flowers and salute on graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli soldier place flowers and salute on graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli soldier place flowers and salute on graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli soldier place flowers and salute on graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli soldier place flowers and salute on graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברותIsraeli visit graves of fallen Israeli soldiers, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on April 27, 2020. This year, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there will be restrictions on going to the cemeteries on Memorial Day itself. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** היכל זיכרון לאומי חללים הר הרצל זיכרון עובדים זיכרון היכל בית קברות
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