Israel's Memorial Day 2025: When does it start? When are the ceremonies?

Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror starts tonight (Tuesday) and continues throughout Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2 Iyar 5785, until the Memorial Day closing ceremony at 20:00.

Independence Day begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (5 Iyar 5785), immediately following the Memorial Day ceremonies, and continues until the evening of Thursday, May 1, 2025.

The transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day symbolizes the deep connection between remembering the fallen and the establishment of the state, including the traditional torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl.

When Are the Sirens?

The first siren will sound nationwide at 20:00 on the evening of Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1 Iyar 5785, for one minute.

The second siren will sound nationwide at 11:00 in the morning on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2 Iyar 5785.

Was the Hebrew Date for Memorial Day and Independence Day Moved Up This Year?

According to a government decision and the Independence Day Law (1949), when Independence Day (5 Iyar) falls on a Friday or Saturday, the holiday is postponed or advanced to avoid desecrating Shabbat due to rehearsals, security drills, state ceremonies, etc.

Since 5 Iyar 5785 (the historical date of the Declaration of Independence) falls on Saturday (May 3, 2025), it was decided to advance Memorial Day and Independence Day to days that would not cause Shabbat desecration or detract from the honor of the fallen.

Do Businesses Close on the Eve of Memorial Day?

By law, businesses are prohibited from opening on the eve of Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Hostile Acts. From 19:00 until 06:00, all stores required to close, including “public entertainment” venues such as theaters, cafés, cinemas, concert halls, discos, dance venues, sports facilities, and eateries selling food or drinks, must shut down.

Is There a School and Kindergarten Holiday on Memorial Day?

On Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, classes in schools and kindergartens proceed as usual in the morning and typically end early, per Ministry of Education guidelines. Many institutions conclude the school day around 12:00–13:00 to allow students and staff to participate in community and family ceremonies. There are no classes in the afternoon.

Schedule: Ceremonies and Events on Memorial Day: Tuesday, April 29

16:30: Opening ceremony for Memorial Day events for Israel’s fallen at Yad Labanim in Jerusalem, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon.

20:00: One-minute moment of silence siren

20:01: State ceremony at the Western Wall Plaza, with President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

21:15: “Songs in Their Memory” at the Knesset. A musical performance in memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of hostile acts, in collaboration with the Knesset, Ministry of Defense, IDF, Police, and National Insurance Institute.

Wednesday, April 30

8:30: Reading of the names of Israel’s fallen at the Hall of Remembrance at Mount Herzl, with the Defense Minister.

11:00: Two-minute moment of silence siren

11:02: Air Force flyover in missing man formation over the military cemetery at Mount Herzl.

11:02: State ceremony for Israel’s fallen at the Hall of Remembrance at Mount Herzl. Simultaneously, memorial ceremonies begin at military cemeteries nationwide.

13:00: State ceremony in memory of victims of terror in Israel and abroad at Mount Herzl.

19:45: State closing ceremony for Memorial Day events and opening of Israel’s 77th Independence Day events.

Israel Hayom contributed to this article.