JERUSALEM, May 8 (UPI) -- Israelis Sunday prepared for services to mourn thousands of soldiers who died defending the country and civilians killed in terror attacks.
On the eve of Israel's 63rd Independence Day, a siren will sound throughout the country Sunday evening and a memorial ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem will mark the start of commemorative events honoring 22,867 troops and 2,443 civilians killed in terror attacks since 1860 when the first Jewish settlers left the walls of Jerusalem's Old City to build new neighborhoods elsewhere.
Another siren will sound Monday and memorial services will begin at 44 military cemeteries throughout the country where a memorial candle and a small flag of Israel have been placed on each grave.
On Monday night, 12 beacons will be lit by members of the public in a ceremony marking the start of Independence Day celebrations.
Beacon lighters this year include 4 year-old Moshe Holzberg whose parents, Chabad emissaries Gavriel and Rivka Holzberg, were killed by terrorists in Mumbai in 2008. Moishe will light the beacon with his maternal grandparents who are raising him, the Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Ministry said.
