Controversy and division overshadow Israel's Memorial Day.

Nearly 15,000 Israelis and Palestinians gathered for a joint Memorial Day ceremony to commemorate those lost on both sides of the conflict. The event, hosted by left-wing group Combatants for Peace, has been controversial since its inception, with critics accusing it of legitimizing terrorism and equating Israel’s fallen soldiers with those who attacked them. The ceremony generated controversy this year before it began, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant trying to prevent Palestinians from attending. The High Court of Justice ordered Gallant to allow the Palestinians into Israel to attend. The event featured speeches in both Hebrew and Arabic, with activists and bereaved families denouncing the West Bank occupation and urging others to work toward peace.