Israel on Its Birthday

PARDESIYA, Israel, May 11, 2008 — -- Families and young children with glowing necklaces and light-up ears swarmed the streets as Israel celebrated its Independence Day on Wednesday, May 7.

Pardesiya, near Netanya, had a local celebration in the center of town. Typical of most Israeli celebrations, it featured Israeli music, a fireworks display, artists and stands of food.

"It's exactly the same in every place you go in Israel," Avi Spielberg, 24, said. "The mayor will say something about achievements and progress and all kinds of boring stuff, and then the young people will all go out somewhere."

That night, over 1,000 people crowded the dance floor at a place called "Float on the Water." Overlooking a lighted lake, this party was set on a kibbutz, or an Israeli communal settlement.

The party lasted until sunrise, featuring a dance floor of Israeli music, and another stage with American pop music and techno. In the middle of the party, Israel's national anthem was played on an electric guitar to a cheering crowd.

The next day, the scents of nargila, Middle Eastern water pipes with flavored tobacco, mixed with the smells of the meat kebobs grilling at Israeli barbeques.

The topic of military service, compulsory in Israel for those over 18, is often discussed at these Independence Day barbeques.

"There is always the same feeling of pride, in Israel's army and her independence," said Spielberg, "Before you go to the army, it's about wanting to be a part of it. After, it's about what you did for your country."

Raya Epstein, 22, said that the pride she feels in the survival of her country is in direct conflict with how she feels about the current situation. "We've achieved so much in a short period of time," she said. "But this Independence Day, I rejoiced with a frown on my face.

"I'm very unhappy with the way things are going right now -- politically, socially, with our leadership, with our economic situation and our public relations to the world," she said. "I'm not proud of these things. I'm even a little embarrassed."