Celebrate life this Independence Day with 60 fabulous photos

We've been through dark and difficult months, so to celebrate Israel's 72nd birthday, we decided to ask our favorite photographers to share some of their most joyous pictures.

A young swimmer enjoying the springs at Gan HaShlosha National Park. Photo by Dina Alfasi
Beach goers play matkot against the backdrop of Tel Aviv's shoreline. Photo by Amir Chodorov
Above the sea at Palmachim beach. Photo by Eli Passi
"Balance" on Beit Yanai Beach north of Netanya. Photo by Niv Glazman
Paddleboarding off Herzliya. Photo by Eli Passi
Underwater wreck in Palmachim. Photo by Eli Passi
Bat Galim Beach, Haifa. Photo by Dina Alfasi
"Dead Sea Shadows" by Niv Glazman
"Big City Life" on the Tel Aviv beachfront. Photo by Niv Glazman
Fishermen at sunset in the Golan Heights, February 2020. Photo by Maor Kinsbursky/Flash90
A chuppa (bridal canopy) frames the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Photo by Daniel Santacruz
The mural and the man: a matched pair. Photo by Evyatar Dayan/ThisIsTelAviv
View of a neighborhood in Ma'ale Adumim outside Jerusalem. Photo by Daniel Santacruz
“I’ll Catch You” is the title of this award-winning photo by Elinor Roizman. Photo courtesy of Dog-Ma Photography
People enjoy the military airshow at Bograshov Beach in Tel Aviv on Israel's 71st Independence Day, May 9, 2019. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90
Sailors take to their yachts in an Israeli Sailing Competition along the Tel-Aviv shoreline. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90
A flock of starlings perform a synchronized flight during sunset in the western Negev, January 6, 2020. Photo by Edi Israel/Flash90
Rishon LeZion. Photo by Eli Passi
This photo of birds and a dog on a Tel Aviv beach is one of Niv Glazman’s most popular.
A water party in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv in 2019. Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv Municipality
Children go wild with snow spray during Israel's 71st Independence Day celebrations in Sacher Park in Jerusalem, May 9, 2019. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Photo by Dina Alfasi
Boot-clad woman and dog in Tel Aviv. Photo by Evyatar Dayan
Friends share a picnic in Levinsky Market. Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv Municipality
A craftsman at work in Nachlat Binyamin, Tel Aviv. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Contrasts in romance. Photo by Evyatar Dayan/ThisIsTelAviv
Mom and baby, 1+1. Photo by Evyatar Dayan/ThisIsTelAviv
An Australian shepherd named Pupik shares a hug with her owner on Michmoret Beach. Photo by Elinor Roizman/Dog-ma Photography
Gay Pride Parade, Tel Aviv, June 2018. Photo by Dina Alfasi
Israeli soldiers take a selfie at the 71st anniversary Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 6, 2019. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90
A street performer in Jerusalem, with the Tower of David Museum in the background. Photo by Daniel Santacruz
Desert views. Photo by Eli Passi
Cycling in the Negev. Photo by Michel Arad
Camels in the Negev Desert. Photo by Michel Arad
Eilat. Photo by Eli Passi
Looking towards the Dead Sea. Photo by Michel Arad
The view of Tel Aviv from Jaffa. Photo by Guy Yechiely, courtesy of Tel Aviv Municipality
The "window fall", a canyon on one of the hiking trails in Ein Gedi. Photo by Maor Kinsbursky/Flash90
Lifeguards on Metzitzim Beach, Tel Aviv. Photo by Ido Biran
Municipality building on Ibn Gabirol Street. Photo by Ido Biran
Rama's Kitchen in Nataf. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Offices in Israel. Photo by Eli Passi
Cooper, an Australian shepherd, enjoys a sunset walk on Palmachim Beach with his owner. Photo by Elinor Roizman/Dog-ma Photography
Jaffa Port. Photo by Ido Biran
A strawberry grower in Moshav Talmei Yosef, northern Negev. Photo by Dina Alfasi
People enjoy blooming flowers in the Golan Heights. Photo by Flash90
The Negev is carpeted with wildflowers every spring. Photo by Alon Yasovsky
A man covers himself with a prayer shawl while praying near a lone tree in a field in Ruhama Badlands, southern Israel on February 16, 2020. Photo by Aharon Krohn/Flash90
"Freedom of Movement" on a hill near Kibbutz Migdal Oz. Photo by Rebecca Nathan Kowalsky
A Corgi named Ryan enjoying the morning sun in an Israeli vineyard. Photo by Elinor Roizman/Dog-ma Photography
"Jerusalem in the Rain," on Jaffa Road. Photo by Yehoshua Halevi
Where there's a dream, there's a way. Nachlat Binyamin, Tel Aviv. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
I'm in charge here. A cat at Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Hamsas for sale in Jerusalem's Old City. Photo by Ilan Rogers
A scene from Machane Yehuda market, Jerusalem. Photo by Yehoshua Halevi
Bedouin shepherds tending their flocks on the hills of Ma'aleh Adumim. Photo by Daniel Santacruz
Tel Aviv beach scene by Amir Chodorov
Tel Aviv from the air. Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv Municipality
The water level in Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) rose this winter to 14 centimeters from the maximum level. Photo by Alon Yasovsky
Aerial view of tourists and Israelis enjoying the Dead Sea. Photo by Menachem Lederman/Flash90

Nicky Blackburn

By Nicky Blackburn

April 22, 2020, Updated April 27, 2020

We’ve been stuck inside for what feels like an eternity, separated from loved ones, and unable to take part in the activities that bring us so much pleasure.

And this Independence Day, Israel’s 72nd, the people of Israel will be on lockdown again, unable to go out into the countryside or enjoy the traditional fun of an outdoor barbecue with friends and family, or a trip to the beach to watch the annual flyover – which has also been cancelled.

What better time for us to put together some photographs to remind us all of the beauty, color, warmth and humor of Israel.

Let’s celebrate life this Independence Day.

Fighting for Israel's truth

We cover what makes life in Israel so special — it's people. A non-profit organization, ISRAEL21c's team of journalists are committed to telling stories that humanize Israelis and show their positive impact on our world. You can bring these stories to life by making a donation of $6/month.

Jason Harris

Jason Harris

Executive Director

Read more:

More on Travel

A bridge crosses the titular nahal (river) in the newly reopened Nahal HaShofet park. Photo By Alex Kolomoisky/KKL-JNF

Revitalized northern Israel park now accessible to all

By Zachy Hennessey

Roman coins from The Israel Museum’s numismatic collection. Photo by Elie Posner/The Israel Museum

10 must-see ancient treasures at the Israel Museum

By Zachy Hennessey

Wizz Air has already resumed flights to Israel. Photo ShU Studio, Shutterstock

Airlines flying to Israel now and those returning soon

By Zachy Hennessey