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The State of Israel came into existence on May 14, 1948, as David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel, read the Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv on behalf of the provisional government. The Hebrew date was the fifth day of the month of Iyar 5708, and every year on this day we celebrate Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. In Israel, the day is celebrated with an official ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, nationwide street parties at night, and hiking and picnicking during the day. Religious Jews conduct special prayer services to acknowledge and give thanks to God for His role in the miraculous story of the establishment and continued existence of the State of Israel.