Government rebuffs pleas by bereaved families to be allowed to visit military graveyards for memorial ceremonies; travel between cities to be banned for both days

PM reportedly leaning toward accepting Health Ministry recommendation to prevent large gatherings; lockdown in Muslim holy month to be imposed only in Arab communities

Health Ministry and National Security Council pushing for total lockdown, similar to measure taken during Passover

Officials from National Security Council and Defense Ministry said considering strict restrictions amid fears of crowding, infections at cemeteries and memorial ceremonies

Defense Ministry encourages Israelis to light memorial candles at home, not visit loved ones' graves; sirens will sound as usual

Regev says for first time public will only be able to view traditional ceremony marking end of Memorial Day on TV, internet; announces aid to artists, entertainment industry

Martha Motzen, a Holocaust survivor, hosted her son Avraham's friends every three weeks until her death this week at 92, on the eve of Memorial Day

With annual abrupt change of spirits, country to celebrate its 71st anniversary with fireworks, concerts, parties and torch-lighting ceremony in Jerusalem

Members of Pittsburgh community invited to participate in Jerusalem ceremony which gave special attention to the 12 Jewish victims of Pittsburgh and Poway gun assaults

Nicolas Bauman, who died in France in 2009, bequeathed €13 million euros to the state; special JNF-KKL and Justice Ministry fund to focus on helping bereaved siblings