Jerusalem Day - Yom Yerushalayim (Hebrew: *יום ירושלים - כ"ח באייר) is an annual Israeli national holiday celebrated on Iyar 28.
According to the 1947 UN Partition Plan, Jerusalem was supposed to be an international city, not part of either the proposed Jewish or Arab state. Instead, the city was divided between Israeli and Jordanian control during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Nineteen years later, East Jerusalem was captured by Israel as a result of the Six Day War. The war ended in ceasefire on June 11, 1967. On June 27, the government of Israel proposed laws to the Knesset to determine the new area and administration of Jerusalem.
On May 12, 1968, the government proclaimed the holiday of "Jerusalem Day" for the 28th of Iyar. On March 23, 1998, the Knesset passed the "Jerusalem Day Law" which made the day a national holiday.
Quds Day
There also exists a celebration by the same name in English: Jerusalem Day or Quds Day is largely an anti-Israel rally to show support the Palestinian people. It is celebrated in parts of the Arab world and more specifically in Iran. The largest gatherings of which take place in Tehran. It was established by Ayatollah Khomeini and is marked annually on the fourth Friday of the month of Ramadan.
Jerusalem Day in the Western Calendar
While Jerusalem Day is always on the 28th day of Iyar in the Jewish calendar, the date in the Western (Gregorian) calendar varies from year to year due to differences between the two calendars.
See also
- Yom HaShoah - Holocaust remembrance day
- Yom Hazikaron - Memorial Day
- Yom Ha'atzma'ut - Israel Independence Day
- Arab-Israeli conflict
- UN Security Council Resolution 267
- UN Security Council Resolution 478