Former Israeli prime minister to boycott Independence Day ceremony

Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Wednesday that he will not participate in the upcoming Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem due to the government’s “dismantling” of democracy.

Addressing Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who is in charge of the torch-lighting ceremony, Lapid said: “My chair at the ceremony will remain empty because you left me no choice.”

“I love the country with all my heart, but in three months you tore apart Israeli society and no fake fireworks show will cover that up. If the unity of the people was so important to you, you would not dismantle our democracy and you would go to work for the citizens of Israel,” Lapid added.

Meanwhile, National Unity Party leader, Benny Gantz, struck a different tone, calling on all elected officials to attend the ceremony.

“(We must) do our best and attend, coalition alongside opposition, to show that we are all united on this day,” Gantz said.

The ceremony marking Israel’s 75th anniversary is set to begin on Tuesday night, ending Memorial Day, which begins on Monday night.

Protestors announced they would take to the streets en masse on Independence Day to demonstrate against the government’s judicial overhaul.

“We are proud to celebrate the founding of our great nation, but we also recognise the challenges we face in preserving our democracy,” said the leadership of the Umbrella Movements for National Protests,” protest organisers said in a statement.

“This celebration is not just about independence but also about the democratic values that we must defend and promote. Let us come together to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day and recommit ourselves to the fight for a free and democratic Israel,” they added.

Fearing that protests would interrupt the televised ceremony in Jerusalem, Regev said: “I don’t intend to allow anything illegal. Anyone who acts out, anyone who comes to interfere or cause harm, won’t be there. We won’t allow this.”