The greatest respect: these are some of the people to light the torches on Israel's upcoming independence day.
As some may or may not know, on each ceremony celebrating Israel's independence day, the state calls numerous citizens, to which it holds most respect in the passing year, to light up the state's torches. The ceremony and the people chosen for it are widely honored. While lighting the torches it's known that their story of good deed, heroism or contribution for the state is told, and it ends when the civilian calls- "Letif'eret Medinat Israel"- "(I light this) For Israel's glory."
Hertzl Biton: A 49 year old resident of Bat Yam, a bus driver. On January 2015, while driving "Dan" bus-line early noon, a Palestinian terrorist got on the buss and began stabbing the driver and other passengers. While being injured, Biton kept driving, swaying the bus left and right, pressing the breaks to prevent further bloodshed. He opened to door for the people to escape, then pounced on the terrorist, pepper-sprayed him, and chased him once he tried to run away. The state honors his courage and determination to save lives, and calls him to light the torch.
Gabi Bershishet: A Ma'ale Adumim resident, volunterrs in both medical and social organizations. Bershishet is a deputy commander in "Megilot" rescue unit, Dead Sea, and is one of the specialist called to assist in the relief teams sent to Haiti, Japan and Nepal. He stood as the head of the team who located missing student Asaf Ashraf, who went missing in Nepal after the earthquake, and was responsible for sending his body back home. Was also the establisher of Ein-Porat Midrasha, bridging religious-secular differences in Israel. The state honors him and calls him to light the torch.
Ronna Ramon: Bereaved wife and mother of Ilan and Asaf Ramon. Ilan Ramon was an Israeli pilot, who took part in bombing the Iraqui quickly devolping nuclear facility, thus saving lives of thousands of Israelis. Later on Ramon became the first and only Israeli Astronaut. Ilan was killed along with his crew in the crashing of space shuttle Columbia.
Asaf, Who chose to follow his father's footsteps and become a pilot, died 6 years later, on a flight accident. In respect to Ramon's sacrifice and contribution to the state, Israel calls Ronna to light a torch.
Alison Bresson: A border police soldier. Immigrated to Israel in 2012 alone and now lives in the northern city of Afula, came to the country in order to fulfill her dream of being in the Border Police. In October 2015, during routine Border Police operations at the Tapuach Junction, she identified two Palestinian youths getting off a scooter with drawn knives in their hands, walking towards a border policeman who stood at a roadblock. The alert Bresson fired at the terrorists, killing one instantly and critically wounding the other. In honor of her initiative and bravery, the state calls her to light a torch.
Feiny Sukennik: A 33 resident of Jerusalem, teacher and councilor. Belongs to the Ultra Orthodox sector; following a difficult divorce process, the established an organization assisting women who go through the same process. Sukennik is a known activist in the Orthodox connunity, struggling for equality for women, and their place in marriage and divorce process. In honor of her contribution for women's right, the state calls her to light the torch.
Dr Annan Farah: A 48 year old Akko resident, a known activist for women's rights. She's a civilian pilot, attorney, and the first Israeli Druze dentist. She's an inspector for dentists in the northern Arab area, and is also a director for the Rashut Hashniya, for Radio and Television. In respect of her many deeds, Israel calls her to light a torche.
Father Gabriel Nidaf: A 48 year old Yafia village resident, a Greek-orthodox priest, head of Armenian community and a great believer in pushing young Christian Arabs to mix within Israeli community and serving in the IDF. A known activist against Anti-Semitism and BDS. Due to his belief in peace and brotherhood between Christians and Jews in Israel, both him and his son went through persecution and life-threats. In honor of his contribution to peace between Jews and Chtistians, Israel calls him to light the torch.
Hallel Berali: A teenage girl from Sderot, member and guide in "Ariel" youth movement. Berali is a known activist in the city, aiding civilians in time of emergency. During "Protective Edge" wardays, she was responsible for opening public shelters for civilians, and volunteers for children and elderly, in days of danger, while risking her own life. Israel honors her actions and calls her to light a torch.
For Israel's Glory.
As some may or may not know, on each ceremony celebrating Israel's independence day, the state calls numerous citizens, to which it holds most respect in the passing year, to light up the state's torches. The ceremony and the people chosen for it are widely honored. While lighting the torches it's known that their story of good deed, heroism or contribution for the state is told, and it ends when the civilian calls- "Letif'eret Medinat Israel"- "(I light this) For Israel's glory."
Hertzl Biton: A 49 year old resident of Bat Yam, a bus driver. On January 2015, while driving "Dan" bus-line early noon, a Palestinian terrorist got on the buss and began stabbing the driver and other passengers. While being injured, Biton kept driving, swaying the bus left and right, pressing the breaks to prevent further bloodshed. He opened to door for the people to escape, then pounced on the terrorist, pepper-sprayed him, and chased him once he tried to run away. The state honors his courage and determination to save lives, and calls him to light the torch.
Gabi Bershishet: A Ma'ale Adumim resident, volunterrs in both medical and social organizations. Bershishet is a deputy commander in "Megilot" rescue unit, Dead Sea, and is one of the specialist called to assist in the relief teams sent to Haiti, Japan and Nepal. He stood as the head of the team who located missing student Asaf Ashraf, who went missing in Nepal after the earthquake, and was responsible for sending his body back home. Was also the establisher of Ein-Porat Midrasha, bridging religious-secular differences in Israel. The state honors him and calls him to light the torch.
Ronna Ramon: Bereaved wife and mother of Ilan and Asaf Ramon. Ilan Ramon was an Israeli pilot, who took part in bombing the Iraqui quickly devolping nuclear facility, thus saving lives of thousands of Israelis. Later on Ramon became the first and only Israeli Astronaut. Ilan was killed along with his crew in the crashing of space shuttle Columbia.
Asaf, Who chose to follow his father's footsteps and become a pilot, died 6 years later, on a flight accident. In respect to Ramon's sacrifice and contribution to the state, Israel calls Ronna to light a torch.
Alison Bresson: A border police soldier. Immigrated to Israel in 2012 alone and now lives in the northern city of Afula, came to the country in order to fulfill her dream of being in the Border Police. In October 2015, during routine Border Police operations at the Tapuach Junction, she identified two Palestinian youths getting off a scooter with drawn knives in their hands, walking towards a border policeman who stood at a roadblock. The alert Bresson fired at the terrorists, killing one instantly and critically wounding the other. In honor of her initiative and bravery, the state calls her to light a torch.
Feiny Sukennik: A 33 resident of Jerusalem, teacher and councilor. Belongs to the Ultra Orthodox sector; following a difficult divorce process, the established an organization assisting women who go through the same process. Sukennik is a known activist in the Orthodox connunity, struggling for equality for women, and their place in marriage and divorce process. In honor of her contribution for women's right, the state calls her to light the torch.
Dr Annan Farah: A 48 year old Akko resident, a known activist for women's rights. She's a civilian pilot, attorney, and the first Israeli Druze dentist. She's an inspector for dentists in the northern Arab area, and is also a director for the Rashut Hashniya, for Radio and Television. In respect of her many deeds, Israel calls her to light a torche.
Father Gabriel Nidaf: A 48 year old Yafia village resident, a Greek-orthodox priest, head of Armenian community and a great believer in pushing young Christian Arabs to mix within Israeli community and serving in the IDF. A known activist against Anti-Semitism and BDS. Due to his belief in peace and brotherhood between Christians and Jews in Israel, both him and his son went through persecution and life-threats. In honor of his contribution to peace between Jews and Chtistians, Israel calls him to light the torch.
Hallel Berali: A teenage girl from Sderot, member and guide in "Ariel" youth movement. Berali is a known activist in the city, aiding civilians in time of emergency. During "Protective Edge" wardays, she was responsible for opening public shelters for civilians, and volunteers for children and elderly, in days of danger, while risking her own life. Israel honors her actions and calls her to light a torch.
For Israel's Glory.
