Israel celebrates 75th Independence Day amidst political turmoil and national divisions.
Israel celebrated its 75th Independence Day with a national ceremony in Jerusalem, while protesters demonstrated outside the main event and the coalition’s opponents held a dueling rally in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for unity amid widespread divisions and protests against his government’s efforts to overhaul the judiciary, and other policies. The initiatives have sparked massive, nationwide protests for over four months. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, there were reminders of the nation’s fraught politics and social schisms as the torchbearers addressed the audience.