Flyovers and fireworks: Israel Independence Day in pictures
Take a look at just a few of the highlights from this year's Independence Day celebrations across the country.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFUpdated: APRIL 26, 2023 20:27 A child watches the annual Israel Independence Day flyover with his parents, April 26, 2023.(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
As Israel marks the start of the 75th year since its founding, the country showed up with full force, as they do every year, to celebrate Independence Day with barbecues, firework displays, and of course, the annual airshow, complete with stunning displays from the Israeli Air Force and their fighter jets.
The highly anticipated IDF airshow was performed by a number of various aircraft, including the F-15, F-16 and F-35 fighter jets; Lavi training aircraft; C-130 cargo planes; a Boeing refueling plane; Black Hawk, Sea Stallion, Panther and Apache helicopters; and Israel Aerospace Industries Heron drones.
On the sunny shores of Tel Aviv, crowds gathered to watch as the planes soared overhead, some of them watching from land, and others from the sea. People at the beach in Tel Aviv watch the military airshow as part of Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, April 26, 2023. (credit: ERIK MARMOR/FLASH90)
Sail boats and yachts watch from the water as Israeli Air Force fighter jets fly over Tel Aviv in the center of the country as part of Israel's Independence Day airshow, in this photo taken from the rooftop of the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv, April 26, 2023. (credit: ORI LEWIS) A woman sits on the beach during an aerial show organized for Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, in Tel Aviv, Israel April 26, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/CORINNA KERN)
A helicopter flies over the ocean as part of Israel's Independence Day airshow, April 26, 2023. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) A helicopter flies over Jerusalem as part of Israel's Independence Day airshow, April 26, 2023. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) Israeli Air Force pilots look down at Tel Aviv during the annual Independence Day flyover, April 26, 2023. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Nighttime firework displays
Before the aircraft took off during the early morning sun on Wednesday morning, Israelis already had plenty to look at in the sky, as nighttime firework displays were set off up and down the country on Tuesday night.
The official state ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem featured fireworks, dance performances, and of course, the annual torch-lighting ceremony.
Fireworks in the West Bank city of Hebron, during independence day celebrations, April 25, 2023. (credit: WISAM HASHLAMOUN/FLASH90)Dancers perform at the 75th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on April 25, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) The 75th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on April 25, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Barbecues in the sun
No celebration is complete without food, and Israeli Independence Day is no exception as Israelis fired up their barbecues and got to work.
Barbecuing stations were scattered across Jerusalem's Gan Saker Park as friends and families gathered together to celebrate underneath the midday sun.
Israelis prepare a barbecue during Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, in Saker Park, Jerusalem, April 26, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Jerusalemites prepare to watch the annual Independence Day airshow from Gan Saker park, complete with tents and barbecues. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) A man wrapped in an Israeli flag tends to a barbecue at an Independence Day celebration, April 26, 2023. (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)
The IDF celebrates 75 years of Israel
Beyond the IAF, other IDF soldiers and units took part in the festivities as well.
Take a look at the dramatic IDF Tanks Corps display in the desert. Soldiers from the IDF's Tanks Corps celebrate 75 years since Israel's founding on Independence Day, April 26, 2023. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Soldiers from the IDF's Tanks Corps celebrate 75 years since Israel's founding on Independence Day, April 26, 2023. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
