JERUSALEM, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Israelis were celebrating the nation's "Independence Day" on Thursday, marking the 70th year of the establishment of Israel.
On Thursday morning, official celebrations started in the President's Residency in Jerusalem, where Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, delivered citations for distinguished soldiers as a tradition.
This year, 75 male and 45 female soldiers received the honor for their outstanding service in their military units over the past year.
"It is no secret, that during these celebratory moments, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and security forces are on high alert," said Rivlin during the ceremony. "It is no secret that we are facing Iranian attempts to directly harm the State of Israel. Dear soldiers, we see the burden of responsibility placed on your young shoulders. Thank you."
INTERNATIONAL FLYOVER
Later in the morning, hundreds of thousands of Israelis went celebrating in the beaches and parks, lighting barbecues and waving flags.
As a popular part of the day, fighter jets and army helicopters graced the skies over Israel's Mediterranean coastline. Many went to the beaches to watch the show or gathered on their apartments' verandas or tall buildings to have a peek.
The flyover passed along 40 cities, from the southernmost city of Eliat to Kiryat Shmona in the north. It also included a salute flotilla by the navy, which passed along the coast of Tel Aviv.
This year's flyover included for the second time a fleet of U.S.-made F-35I jets. Dozens of other aircraft participated, including, "Sufa" (F-16I), "Lavi" (M346,) and "Barak" (F16). Attack helicopters, heavy-lift transport helicopters, and transport aircraft also took part.
Air forces from Greece, Italy, Austria, Canada, England, and Poland also participated in the flyover.
A military spokesperson said that the joint flyover demonstrates Israel's military cooperation with other nations and helps "to maintain diplomatic relations between the countries."
Another highlight of the day was the International Bible Quiz for Youth, an annual proficiency competition held on the Independence Day. This year, the competition was won by a 17-year-old boy from the impoverished town of Hatzor Haglilit in northern Israel.
ISRAEL "OUTREACHES" FOR PEACE
The celebrations kicked off on Wednesday evening, with a sharp transition from the solemn Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks to the joyful celebrations of independence.
An official opening ceremony in Jerusalem's Mount Herzl marked the country's 70th anniversary with an annual theme of "between tradition and innovation."
The highlight of the ceremony was a torch lightening service, which was done by 12 people who have made an outstanding contribution to the Israeli society. In addition, this year, Speaker of the Knesset (parliament) Yuli Edelstein and Netanyahu also lighted torches.
Netanyahu welcomed what he called a "real seeds of peace" that were beginning to sprout among several of Israel's Arab neighbors. His words were an apparent reference to signs of warming ties with Saudi Arabia as the latter, like Israel, increasingly accuses Iran of being a major threat to the region.
"Our hand is outstretched in peace to all of our neighbors who want peace," Netanyahu said. "And to our enemies who think that we are a passing phenomenon, I have news for you: In 70 years from now you will find here a country seven times stronger than what we have done so far. This is just the beginning!"
Singers and artists performed in open-air concerts across the country throughout the night, with fireworks going off in the background.
Security forces have increased their alert level and many police officers were deployed throughout the country and on the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israel's "Independence Day" marks the day in which David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel by then-Palestine's Jewish leadership in 1948.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, who lived in this region, became refugees in the ensuing battles. The Palestinians who stayed put became Israeli citizens and make up about 20 percent of the Israeli population.
