Oporto's Jewish community today gathered at the Holocaust museum to commemorate Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism (Yom Hazikaron).
In a ceremony that included speakers and singers from the community, the speech by Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, was also heard live. 1,600 Israeli soldiers and civilians have been slain since the last memorial day, which took place on April 25, 2023, the date on which the Oporto Jewish community took the opportunity to officially inaugurate the Jewish cemetery in Oporto. The last one had been destroyed more than five centuries ago.
In Israel, Yom Hazikaron was ushered in with a one-minute siren, followed by a state ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The event was attended not only by the President, but also the Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
Also the parliament held an event in memory of the fallen. This ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman.
At 8:30 a.m. on Monday, the names of the fallen soldiers will be read at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Another two-minute siren will sound at 11 a.m., bringing the country to a standstill. Minutes later, Israeli Air Force jets will fly over Mount Herzl, kicking off the main ceremony, to be attended by Herzog, Netanyahu and others. Ceremonies will be held at cemeteries, community centers and schools across the country.
Remembrance events will continue until Monday night, at which point the country will shift to celebrating its 76th Independence Day.
