Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Disruptions expected for Yom Ha’atzmaut May 7-10

Event

Israel will commemorate Memorial Day and Independence Day, or Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut, from Tuesday, May 7, to Thursday, May 9, and disruptions and heightened security measures are expected across the country until least Friday, May 10. Government and commercial disruptions, including at restaurants and entertainment venues, are expected during the holidays along with some transportation disruptions, including road closures. Heightened security measures, including border closures, will be in effect until Friday. Palestinians will be unable to enter Israel from the West Bank beginning at 00:01 (local time) on Tuesday until 00:01 on Friday, with exceptions for humanitarian and emergency reasons. The Gaza Strip border crossings have been closed since Saturday, May 5, and are expected to remain closed until Monday, May 13. Increased security, including increased deployment of personnel in urban areas and heightened security measures at memorial services and other events, are also anticipated during the holiday period.

Context

Yom HaZikaron begins at sunset on Tuesday with a minute of silence at 20:00 (local time) in which all citizens stop and stand in silence. Entertainment, including television programming, ceases for the remainder of the day. Another two-minute of silence is held at 11:00 on Wednesday, May 8. Yom HaZikaron ends at sundown on Wednesday as Yom Ha'atzmaut begins. Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated with public festivals and other celebratory events until nightfall on May 9.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to respect local customs and laws, anticipate commercial, government, and transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence, allow for additional time to reach their destinations, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, and avoid large public gatherings as a precaution.