This year's commemoration of 62 years of the liberation of Eilat was attended by State President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was an opportunity for the Mayor, Meir Yitzhak Halevy to point out the various projects being carried out in the city of Eilat, including adding the train and the new airport to the agenda,  the many refurbishments to take place in the city, and Eilat  being recognized internationally as a city of congresses, fairs, festivals and high level sports competitions. There was a large presence of French eilat residents who attended the event.