This evening and tomorrow (Monday) the State of Israel honors the memory of the 22,684 people who have died in Israel's wars. On Tuesday, Independence Day, the country celebrates the 62nd anniversary of its founding in 1948.
At the ceremony that opened the 24-hour period of remembrance for the fallen, at the Western Wall plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem, President Shimon Peres spoke to the bereaved families and paid tribute to those who gave their lives in seven wars. He also commented on current threats the country faces.