Memorial Day

Everything comes to a stop nationwide, including the Jerusalem Light Rail, at exactly 11:00 on Memorial Day as a two-minute air-raid siren shatters the silence. Passengers stand solemnly contemplating Israel’s 22,993 fallen soldiers and terror victims. Jerusalem, Israel. 25-Apr-2012.

A mother lays her head in grief on the grave of her son in the Police section of Mt. Hertzl Military Cemetery. Jerusalem, Israel. 25-Apr-2012.

A lone IDF soldier sits by the grave of a family member or friend at Mt. Hertzl Military Cemetery on Memorial Day. Jerusalem, Israel. 25-Apr-2012.

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Preparations Underway for Memorial Day

IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General, Benny Gantz, salutes Lieutenant Hila Betzaleli, 20, killed last week after being struck by a collapsing steel lighting fixture during rehearsal for Remembrance Day ceremony, as grieving mother weeps. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

IDF soldiers of all units and beret colors take part in a pre-Memorial Day ceremony in which small flags at half-mast with black ribbons symbolizing grief are placed on the graves of all 22,993 fallen soldiers nationwide. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General, Benny Gantz, places small flags at half-mast with black ribbons symbolizing grief on the freshest graves of fallen soldiers at Mount Herztel Military Cemetery before Memorial Day. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Israel Police Commissioner, Yohanan Danino, leads a pre-Memorial Day ceremony in which small flags are placed on the graves of all 1,418 fallen police officers nationwide, beginning with the last deceased, Commander Shimon Gabai. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Policemen stand at attention during a pre-Memorial Day ceremony with families of the dead in the Police Section of the Mt. Hertzel military Cemetery. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Policemen stand at attention during a pre-Memorial Day ceremony with families of the dead in the Police Section of the Mt. Hertzel military Cemetery. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Israel Police Commissioner, Yohanan Danino (center), leads a pre-Memorial Day ceremony in which small flags are placed on the graves of all 1,418 fallen police officers nationwide, beginning with the last deceased, Commander Shimon Gabai. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Solemn Mock Funeral Procession For Yohanes Berko – Jerusalem

Activists conduct a solemn mock funeral procession for deceased homeless Yohanes Berko who froze during the night of January 21st in Tel-Aviv, holding candles in front of PM Netanyahu’s official residence. Jerusalem, Israel. 4th February 2012.

Three months after the liquidation of an improvised tent compound for homeless in Tel-Aviv, street resident Yohanes Berko froze to death on a public bench in Levinski Park during the night of January 21st. A solemn mock funeral procession is conducted from PM Netanyahu’s private residence on Aza Street to the official Prime Minister’s Residence pointing a finger at Netanyahu for personal responsibility for his death and for the dire fate of other homeless people. Hamaabara – The Transit Camp, The Jerusalem Campaign for Housing Rights, claims 46 street residents found a similar death in 2011.

Heroism and Pain

A guard of homor of IDF Paratroopers at a ceremony on the Mount of Olives on Memorial Day. Jerusalem, Israel. 09/05/2011.

IDF Paratroopers inspect their weapons for live rounds following a Memorial Day Ceremony on Mount of Olives overlooking the city.

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