Joint Memorial Day Ceremony

Yom Hazikaron, or Israeli Memorial Day, is sacred in Israel. Yet, the ceremonies that are held to honor this day most often serve to reinforce cultural narratives of pain, victimhood, and hopelessness. The Joint Memorial, co-hosted by Combatants for Peace and Parents Circle-Families Forum, transforms this narrative by bringing Palestinians to the Memorial alongside Israelis, changing despair into self-reflection, personal responsibility, and ultimately hope. 

The Joint Memorial Ceremony is the largest Israeli-Palestinian peace event in history. Last year 300,000 people participated in the live broadcast event and over one million people streamed it afterwards. It has become a focal point for the entire peace community. Nearly every peace-building NGO in the region participates in some way, and we are proud to be sponsors of the Ceremony this year! It has a profound impact on everyone involved in or witnessing the event.

The Joint Memorial Day Ceremony sets the foundation for widespread cultural change by shifting public opinion on a mass scale. Joining together to mourn each other’s pain challenges the status quo, setting the foundation to build a new reality based on mutual respect, dignity and equality.