The Israeli government’s failure to act independently and forcefully is not confined to security issues and international relations.
Weeks ago, the government canceled the traditional Yom Ha’atzmaut fireworks displays out of respect for the families in mourning over the October 7 massacre or apprehensive over the plight of the hostages held in dark, dank tunnels.
The Israel Air Force also scrapped the traditional flyovers of fighter jets. Israel’s fleet of military aircraft is on call for more urgent missions.
Cutting back on the Independence Day fanfare is appropriate, considering that the government has declared Israel is currently fighting a second war of independence. But Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut will last 48 hours, and toning down the traditional ceremonies is mainly cosmetic.
The most pressing issue facing Israel after 76 years of statehood is a reckoning of how the country lost its independence and how to set priorities to regain it.
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