In preparation for Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has expanded the use of the “Netivi Zicharon” (“Memorial Paths”) app to 20 major cemeteries across the country. The app was developed for the Department of Families and Commemoration in the MoD by ONE Taldor, in collaboration with the Applications and Technology Department and the Department of Production and Procurement (DOPP).
The app, available for both Android and iOS, enables users to navigate from the cemetery gate directly to the location of the grave(s) they wish to visit. After installing the app on a mobile device, users can enter the name of the fallen into a dedicated search bar and navigate to the grave’s exact location using voice or visual guidance. Additionally, the app offers options for pedestrian or accessible routes for individuals with disabilities.
For enhanced navigation, an image of the headstone is displayed, which users can easily share with family and friends. Users can also visit the fallen soldier’s memorial page on the national “Yizkor” website, access the text of prayers, and light a virtual candle in their memory or a general candle for Israel’s fallen.
Since Memorial Day of May 2024, the app has been operational in the military sections of cemeteries including Kiryat Shaul and Nahalat Yitzhak in Tel Aviv and Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, as well as in Haifa, Holon, Netanya, Be’er Sheva, Rishon LeZion, Kiryat Anavim, Nahariya, Petah Tikva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Hadera, Afula, Rehovot, and Kfar Warburg.
“We recognize the importance and honor of utilizing advanced technology to preserve and make the heritage of Israel’s heroes accessible, while aiding those who come to pay their respects,” said Iron Zada, Head of Public Sector Development and Solutions Division at ONE Taldor. “The app enables family and friends to independently and respectfully reach their loved ones’ graves, minimizing the difficulty of navigating through the cemetery. In developing the system, we integrated GIS-based algorithms and location-based technology to support simultaneous navigation for thousands of users, all managed through cloud resources in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem,” Zada added.