There
were many struggles along the way to creating a Jewish state. The Arab
states along Israel’s borders were not interested in having a new Jewish
state near them. As soon as David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime
minister, declared Israel’s independence in 1948, they attacked the new
country. After a long war, the Jews were able to keep their independence,
but only at great cost. Six thousand young Jewish men and women died
during the War of Independence so that the Jewish People could once again
be free. Since that time many more have died in wars with Israel’s
neighbors. That is why, on the day before Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, we have a
special day, Yom HaZikaron, Remembrance Day, to remember all the soldiers
and civilians who gave their lives for the country.
There
were many struggles along the way to creating a Jewish state. The Arab
states along Israel’s borders were not interested in having a new Jewish
state near them. As soon as David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime
minister, declared Israel’s independence in 1948, they attacked the new
country. After a long war, the Jews were able to keep their independence,
but only at great cost. Six thousand young Jewish men and women died
during the War of Independence so that the Jewish People could once again
be free. Since that time many more have died in wars with Israel’s
neighbors. That is why, on the day before Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, we have a
special day, Yom HaZikaron, Remembrance Day, to remember all the soldiers
and civilians who gave their lives for the country.