Israel’s 77th Independence Day opening ceremony is being broadcast now. The broadcast, which features the annual torch-lighting centerpiece, is a prerecording of what was the final dress rehearsal for the ceremony. The live ceremony has been cancelled because of high winds earlier today that preceded the huge wildfires that are now raging in the Jerusalem area.

A rehearsal of the ceremony for Israel's Independence Day was aired on Wednesday evening. The initial planned live ceremony was cancelled earlier in the day due to the raging fires across Israel. Instead of the event, the footage from rehearsals has been broadcast. One of the opening performances was of freed hostage Agam Berger playing the violin. Freed hostage Emily Damari spoke at the event and lit a torch as part of the annual torch-lighting ceremony.

American conservative pundit Ben Shapiro, former Israeli hostage Emily Damari and NBA player Deni Avdija have all been invited to light torches at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony. Shapiro, who has shown staunch support for Israel and its government to his millions of followers on X and YouTube, was chosen by Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev following the recommendations of a public advisory committee. “Ben Shapiro is one of Israel’s greatest supporters in the world,” Regev said in a statement. “Throughout his media career – and especially since the start of the war – he has demonstrated unwavering support for Israel, its right to self-defense, and the justice of its cause.”