Independence Day is an Israeli happening. City streets are decorated with flags and colorful lights, and downtowns are filled with food stalls, balloons and inflatable hammers, creating a carnival atmosphere. At the center of the action are the stages for entertainment organized by local authorities. The best Israeli artists perform for the occasion, with those most in demand moving from town to town without rest, performing multiple times in one night. In recent years, the competition to bring the most famous (and expensive) artists to town has gotten out of control.
The high prices paid to these artists from public coffers has more than once sparked debate. In addition, the artists raise their prices every year. For example, Omer Adam, one of the most popular and successful singers in Israel in recent years, performed for 140,000 NIS ($39,000) in 2017 and raised his price to 205,000 NIS ($57,000) in 2018. This year, his price skyrocketed to 292,000 NIS ($81,000), for about half an hour of music.
