The Foundation of Memory: why Israel counts its fallen from 1860 on Yom HaZikaron
Israel observes Yom HaZikaron by honoring this year the 25,648 individuals fallen since 1860, a date marking the birth of modern Jewish settlement and organized self-defense. This official tally links the state's current security forces to the earliest pioneers of the 19th century.
The exit from the walls
For centuries, the Jewish community resided within the fortified perimeter of Jerusalem's Old City. In 1860, the completion of Mishkenot Sha’ananim signaled a radical shift. By moving beyond the stone ramparts, pioneers traded relative safety for strategic growth. This "Exit from the Walls" exposed residents to immediate physical threats, transforming ordinary citizens into the first defenders of modern Jewish settlement. Historians view this vulnerability as the symbolic birth of the modern defense of the land.
The rise of the New Yishuv
The date 1860 identifies the emergence of the Yishuv HaHadash (the New Community). This era transitioned the population from a traditional, purely religious presence to a structured social and political body. This organized society developed the first formal defense protocols. The Israeli Ministry of Defense utilizes this milestone to acknowledge that the infrastructure leading to independence required decades of organized resilience long before the existence of a regular army.
An inclusive recognition
Selecting 1860 allows for an expansive definition of sacrifice. The official Yom HaZikaron tally honors more than the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It integrates the fighters of pre-state paramilitary groups, including the Haganah, the Irgun, and the Lehi. The count further includes the guards of early agricultural colonies and Jewish police officers who served under the British Mandate.
A living record
This historical framing ensures that the sacrifice for the country’s construction remains linked to its earliest pioneers. The list of the fallen is a dynamic record, updated annually to include security personnel and victims of terror. By recognizing 1860 as the inception, the state affirms that the cost of sovereignty began the moment the first residents stepped outside the protected gates of Jerusalem to build a national future.
Anne serves as the Foreign Language Newsdesk Editor at All Israel News, connecting the French-speaking world to the heart of Israeli current events. A dedicated writer and researcher specializing in faith-based journalism, she reports from the unique intersection of history, faith, and modern news.
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