Remembrance Day vigil

State and municipal flags
at Safra Square

By afternoon today, most major roads around the Old City and near govt and Municipal centres have been closed. Remembrance Day celebrations begin this evening and a solemn tone is enveloping the country. Israelis recall the soldiers who have died defending their country. This falls on the day before Independence Day which is on Tuesday. Sirens will sound at 10am tomorrow morning for a minute's silence.

Jewish priest wrapped in plastic
on flight to London

But this nationalistic pride and celebrations is not shared by all. The ultra-orthodox jews still believe in a messianic state and reject the zionist ideals that gave birth to this country. And as if to show how extreme these ultra-orthodox jews have become, Haaretz ran a photo and article showing an ultra-orthodox jewish kohen ("priest") wrapped in a huge plastic bag while flying in a plane to London .... because it might fly over a cemetary and that would contaminate him or render him ritually unclean. Plastic wrapping would prevent him from this.   http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/routine-emergencies/ultra-orthodox-man-wears-full-body-condom-world-media-goes-wild.premium-1.515386   Extreme? Ridiculous? But the ultra-orthodox population is growing in Israeli society and though the secular govt. is trying to stamp out their power and influence, it is unlikely the govt. will win. The ultra-orthodox jews, bizarre as some people may think of them, are still the power mongers in Israel and in the end, they will always call the shots.

With such extremely divergent views, and at times openly hostile, within Israeli society .... I wonder how Independence Day could be unifying moment for the country ... or is it another occasion to disagree again?