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Where Israel stands 76 years after its creation

NPR

Published May 17, 2024 at 9:20 AM EDT

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish people, who oppose Zionism and the Israeli state, take part in a protest against Israel's Independence Day at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, May 14, 2024. (Leo Correa/AP)

On Tuesday, Israelis marked Independence Day, 76 years after Israel’s creation in 1948. Palestinians commemorate this period as Al-Nakba, referring to the events leading up to the formation of the State of Israel, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of Palestinians either fleeing from their homes or being forcefully expelled.

But for Israelis, this day marks when they finally achieved an independent and national state for Jewish people. The holiday celebrations were muted this year, due to Israelis being divided over the government and Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

Aaron David Miller is the former deputy special coordinator for Arab-Israeli negotiations at the State Department and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, focusing on U.S. foreign policy. Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with Miller about how Israelis perceived this year’s Independence Day and where Israel stands today.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.