Israel Minister Eliahu Sasson and other Israeli diplomats here marked Israel independence Day yesterday by placing a wreath at the ancient Roman Mamertinum jail in honor of Simon Bar Ghiora, defender of Jerusalem against the armies of Titus and Vespasian who was captured by the Romans and executed in the jail. The Israelis used this method to mark Israel’s independence and underline the Jewish spirit of resistance to an oppressor.
Power the news that matters to you. Before 2025 ends, help JTA's independent, award-winning newsroom document Jewish history in real-time.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
