A Look at Israel: Israel’s Historic 75th Anniversary

Israel celebrated its 75th anniversary last week in a uncertain mood, overshadowed by a battle over the judiciary that has opened up some of the deepest social divisions.

Memorial Day on Tuesday, honouring the country’s military dead, and Independence Day a day later have traditionally served as markers of unity in a nation that has fought repeated wars since its creation.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets weekly since the start of the year to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nationalist-religious government to push through curbs on the judiciary they see as an existential threat to democracy.

Kevin McCarthy is in Israel and became only the second U.S speaker of the house to address the knesset. Earlier McCarthy met Israeli leaders and visited the Western Wall where he called the Jewish State a blessed Nation.