Israel turns 75: PM urges unity; opponents hold protest party * Flybys, packed parks & beaches * Biden hails resilient Israeli democracy *What would founding parents say?

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Presented by [University of Haifa International]( [Israel ushers in 75th Independence Day in shadow of political upheaval]( By ToI Staff Netanyahu calls for unity as protesters opposed to his government’s hardline policies gather outside Jerusalem event and opponents hold ‘protest party’ in Tel Aviv [Tens of thousands in Tel Aviv rally against coalition during Independence Day ceremony]( By ToI Staff [Air Force takes to the sky as 75th Independence Day celebrations get into swing]( By ToI Staff Flybys across the country will feature over 100 aircraft; IDF chief of staff says army acts as a common denominator providing strength through unity; crowds flock to nature parks [F-35 forced to land after bird-strike during Independence Day fly-by]( By ToI Staff [IAF attack helicopter lands at kibbutz after technical fault forces it out of flyby]( By ToI Staff from our sponsor Galit Diamant [UHaifa International is creating the Peace Makers of Tomorrow]( With 1-year English-taught International Masters Programs in Peace-Conflict Management, National Security, Public Policy Management, Diplomacy, and International Relations. Live updates [LIVE: Israelis pack parks, beaches as deep divisions give way to Independence Day revelry]( By ToI Staff But tensions linger in background, with IDF chief warning troops to stay out of political fights and swimming protesters unfurling flag and Declaration of Independence at sea [Smotrich, far-right MKs join mass gathering at razed Homesh settlement]( By ToI Staff Lawmakers and former residents celebrate first Independence Day since parts of 2005 Disengagement Law rolled back by Knesset: ‘The true meaning of Jewish independence’ Op-ed David Horovitz [Israel at 75: ‘Only together can we reach our goals’]( In a pre-recorded video screened at the opening 75th Independence Day ceremony, the prime minister stressed unity as central to the wonders of modern Israel. Was he listening? [Israeli teen girls win first, second place in annual Bible quiz]( By Ash Obel [In the Netherlands, Christians stage a solidarity-with-Israel flyover]( By Canaan Lidor Top Ops Mishael Zion [Choosing Israel]( My kindergartener colors an Israeli flag, and I remember that we all, from immigrant to sabra, are in this Israeli society together Ron E. Hassner [Israel at 75 should learn from the US at 75]( The United States was a mere 85 years old when civil war tore the nation apart. On its 75th birthday, is Israel at risk for the same? ToI podcast [Daily Briefing Apr. 26: What would Israel’s founding parents think about it at 75?]( By ToI Staff Israel Story creator Mishy Harman and producer Mitch Ginsburg track down descendants of Declaration of Independence signatories in a new series, ‘Signed, Sealed and Delivered?’ [On Israel’s 75th birthday, Biden says US ‘still proud’ to be among its top friends]( By Jacob Magid US ‘recognizes the resilience of Israel’s democracy — the bedrock for our robust and special relationship,’ says president, calling himself a ‘lifelong friend and supporter’ [US House passes pro-Israel measure 401-19, but growing number of Dems vote against]( By Jacob Magid Inside story Jacob Magid [After pressing Jerusalem for Ramadan calm, US lauds Israeli handling of holiday rows]( Police raid of Al-Aqsa on holy month’s second week nearly sparked regional conflict; Israeli conduct — pushed by US, UAE and Jordan — helped calm hostility, but concern remains Israel at 75: From the blogs [When did you know you were Israeli?Â]( By Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt For those still struggling to roll their reshes, this excerpt from the new book ‘Israel 201’ offers 75 answers for 75 years of statehood [Israel’s UN envoy walks out of Security Council to protest Memorial Day session]( By Luke Tress Gilad Erdan reads out names of fallen Israelis to council members, lights memorial candle in chamber, says UN rejected requests to move session to another day Israel at 75: Interview [For scientist Michal Schwartz, Israel Prize is rewarding milestone in ongoing journey]( By Renee Ghert-Zand Weizmann Institute neuroimmunologist bucked convention to prove that brain is not isolated from immune system, leading to possible therapies to treat Alzheimer’s and other diseases from the blogs Talya Woolf [The Israel I know]( The people I meet along the way support this land, our land of soil, sand and gravel; blood and tears; and milk and honey [On Israel’s 75th birthday, the flag takes on new meaning as a symbol of protest]( By Ben Sales [‘Old, but who else is there?’: Biden supporters lukewarm on his reelection bid]( By Moises AVILA and Romain FONSEGRIVES Americans who back the 80-year-old US president express concern that he’s ‘probably a little antiquated,’ but note lack of clear alternative Democratic candidate for 2024 [Bernie Sanders endorses Biden for 2024, forgoing another election run]( By Steve Peoples [With 2024 announcement, Biden seeks more time to ‘heal’ America]( By Sebastian Smith Obituary [Harry Belafonte, who popularized ‘Hava Nagila’ in the US, dies at 96]( By Lisa Keys Singer and civil rights activist once quipped he was ‘the most popular Jew in America’ due to his rendition of the Hebrew classic [CRM]( More Headlines [One-year-old killed, six others injured in head-on collision in southern Israel]( By ToI Staff [Hebrew school enrollment across US down by nearly half since 2006, report says]( By Asaf Elia-Shalev [Sderot building memorializes three pairs of siblings killed in recent terror attacks]( By ToI Staff [No private firm willing to insure Meron pilgrimage, two years after disaster]( By Michael Horovitz [Taliban killed mastermind of 2021 Islamic State suicide bombing at Kabul airport: US]( By Farnoush Amiri, Matthew Lee, AAMER MADHANI and Lolita C. Baldor [New York City home to 30 Israel-founded tech unicorns, report says]( By Luke Tress [Iran court issues $312.9M judgement against US for 2017 Islamic State attack]( By Jon Gambrell [Man arrested in Poland for antisemitic message projected on Anne Frank House]( By AFP [Court rules Frankfurt can’t cancel Roger Waters concert over his antisemitism record]( By Gabe Friedman [Malka Leifer in Australian court as judge weighs sentence after sex abuse conviction]( By AP [Websites of Israeli port hacked; Sudanese group said to claim responsibility]( By ToI Staff [Powerful Iranian cleric killed in attack — state media]( By AFP [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? [Subscribe here]( [Unsubscribe]( from this List © 2023 The Times Of Israel, All Rights Reserved