JERUSALEM, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Israelis began to mark their 78th Independence Day on Tuesday evening with the annual traditional torch-lighting ceremony held on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat next to Argentine President Javier Milei, who was on an official visit to Israel, during the ceremony.
Netanyahu said Israel is "stronger than ever," hailing the military operations against Iran in a video address screened at the ceremony.
At the center of the ceremony is the lighting of 12 torches by elected representatives who have made significant contributions to the state. This time, the torch lighters included Milei, who also appeared on stage singing before his speech.
The Independence Day events, which will continue until Wednesday evening, are being held this year amid fragile ceasefires on the Iranian and Lebanese fronts, with the Israeli political and military echelons saying they are prepared for a possible resumption of fighting.
Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, but it observes Independence Day on a different date each year according to the Hebrew calendar. ■
