Thursday evening marks the beginning of Jerusalem Day celebrations, marking the 42nd anniversary of the day the Old City of Jerusalem was liberated, and the entire city reunified, during the Six Day War.
The date also marks the accompanying defeat of Egypt, Jordan and Syria, which had repeatedly threatened to destroy the Jewish State and "drive the Jews into the sea." Instead, Israel won a miraculous victory, and the Six Day War has become a synonym around the world for "a modern-day miracle."
Events marking the joyous day have already begun – and not only in Jerusalem. In the lower Galilee city of Nazareth Illit, for instance, some 800 youths from the Ariel religious youth movement descended on the city to dance and sing through the streets with Israeli flags – a Rikudgalim event of the type that has taken place in Jerusalem for 40 years. The Nazareth event was part of a campaign that began two years ago to strengthen Jewish cities in which the Arab presence is growing.