Israel’s main Independence Day celebration was interrupted by a protest by the brother of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
The televised service on Monday night traditionally involves the lighting of a dozen torches on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
Yoel Shalit and his girlfriend carried signs calling for Gilad Shalit to be remembered.
Police moved them on after they appeared in front of top politicians.
Gilad Shalit, was captured by militants from Gaza in a cross-border raid near Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing in June 2006.
He has since been held at an unknown location by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that governs the Gaza Strip.
His family and other supporters have worked hard to keep his case in the public eye, even setting up a large demonstration tent close to the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem.
The Israeli soldier, who had the rank of corporal when he was seized, has since been promoted to staff sergeant. He is now 24.
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