People who live in Israel....
Someone once told me that he was in chutz la-aretz and someone gave him grief for getting down to say tachanun on Yom Ha-atzmaus. He said "But I live there and serve in the army. You live in Chicago??"
Someone else I heard about was reprimanded for not attending the parade. He explained "But we are moving there and are busy packing??" That is no excuse, his friend replied.
Lesson: You love Israel? Live here or at least visit frequently. Support Israel with your checkbook. Daven for Israel. Learn sugyos in Shas, halacha and machshava about Eretz Yisrael in order to create a תשוקה and קשר [even though it might feel weird to learn about it and not fulfill what one is learning. but realistically - not everyone can do it] for Eretz Yisrael.
Parades? Hallels? Holiday celebrations?? I have a bias - if one can do anything or learn Torah, I almost always vote for learning.....
A freilichin Yom Yerushalayim:-).
