Israel officially entered a period of national mourning on the evening of Monday, April 20, 2026, to observe Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism (Yom HaZikaron). The day of remembrance, which continues until nightfall on Tuesday, April 21, honors the memory of over 25,000 soldiers who have died in defense of the state and more than 5,000 civilians killed in terrorist attacks.
The central state ceremony was held at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Monday evening, attended by the President, the Prime Minister, and the Chief of the General Staff. The main public observance occurred on Tuesday morning when a two-minute siren sounded across the country at 11:00 a.m., bringing daily life to a standstill as people stood in silent tribute.
Throughout the day, official ceremonies are being held at military cemeteries and memorial sites nationwide. Memorial Day on the Hebrew calendar, the 4th of Iyar 5786, directly precedes the celebrations for Independence Day (Yom HaAtzma'ut), which begins at sundown on Tuesday, April 21. This juxtaposition is intended to symbolize the link between the sacrifice of those who died and the establishment and continuity of the state.
