President Reuven Rivlin hosted the opening of Thursday’s Independence Day festivities at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu joined Rivlin, along with Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, and other top security establishment brass.

The ceremony began with a honorary flyover by combat helicopters, followed by a presidential review of the troops, featuring 120 decorated soldiers.