David Blatt, Ine of the greatest basketball coaches in Israel and Europe, was chosen to light a torch at the 75th Israel Independence Day ceremony to be held In Mount Herzl. "I am excited just thinking that I have been chosen to light a torch In the Independence Day of the State of Israel," Blatt said. "This gives me the opportunity to do the thing I always wanted to do with pride and love and that is to represent our beautiful country, the special people in it and the Jews all over the world who support the State of Israel and our existence." "I never imagined that such an honor would fall to me and I'm just happy right now. I hope that I can continue to serve the country that I love so much in any way possible. I have always dreamed that through sports I could influence and bring people together, whether in the 7 countries I have lived in over the years, or through the experiences I have gained over the years in the various stations in the world of sports In general and Maccabi Tel Aviv in particular," added Blatt.

Army Radio reports that a number of Lebanese activists tried to damage the border fence between Israel and Lebanon. The IDF fired crowd control munitions at them.

Boy caught after trying to cross the fence into the neighborhood. Initially, he was mistaken for an Arab.

Minister Miri Regev, who is in charge of events for the 75th Independence Day of the State of Israel, informed the girl Ofek Rishon that she had chosen her from among those recommended by the public advisory committee to light a torch In Mount Herzl In Independence Day. For six years, from first grade to sixth grade, Ofek endured severe bullying by the children of her class. She chose to courageously reveal her story to the entire Israeli society, and turned her difficult personal experiences into a source of strength and a mission. Today Ofek is active in raising awareness of the scourge of bullying and shaming in schools. Today, she is the head of "Bully Patrol", a project she jointly initiated with the team of Channel 13 News where she and other partners help children who suffer from bullying.