The armies of five Arab states were today pressing against Jewish settlements in outlying districts of Israel in the second day of their invasion of the now Jewish stats. Late tonight Dr. Chaim Weizmann, aged Zionist fist leader, was elected President of the Provisional Government of Israel at a special session of the 37-member National Council.
Reports from other fronts revealed that Acre, Arab city across the bay from I Haifa, which was not included in the Jewish area under the United Nations partition decision, was on the point of capitulating to the forces of the Haganah. On the northern front, where the Lebanese penetrated the Israel "border for a distance of approximately one mile yesterday, the Jews were holding firm.Along the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv supply route, the Jews strengthened their control of the strategic highway by occupying several more Arab towns. However, Arab forces today shelled the western suburbs of Jerusalem, and unconfirmed reports stated that there was fighting in the city itself.
The Egyptian force, which occupied all-Arab Gaza yesterday, in the area of southern Palestine to the Arabs by the U.N., today fanned out in the direction of Jewish settlements in the Kegev. At least five persons were killed in Nirvim when as Egyptian air squadron bombed the settlement, an Egyptian mortarized column shelled it and Egyptian regular forces closed in on foot. When last heard from the settlers were still holding out. Iraqi reports placed their troops in eastern Palestine, north of Transjordan Arab Legion positions in the vicinity of Jericho. The fifth invading any, the Syrian, was reported driving down from the northeastern shoulder of Galilee. None are believed to have penetrated far.
At least five persons wore killed this afternoon in Tel Aviv, which saw it eighth air raid in two days. Two more Egyptian Spitfires were shot down by Jewish anti-aircraft guns today. The pilot of the plane downed by the Haganah yesterday was definitely identified as an Egyptian. While most of yesterday bombs fell on the outskirts of the city, today’s missiles were directed at the crowded port area.
JEWISH GOVERNMENT ASKS U.N. NATIONS FOR RECOGNITION
Moshe Shertok, Foreign Minister of Israel, told a press conference that the Jewish Government will apply to the 58 member states of the U.N. for recognition. He added that other nations will also be asked to take similar action, "and that the list would include Britain. It was also announced that Guatemala has already recognized the government.
The first Official Gazette, issued today, described the war against Arab invasion, immigration and building the state as the immediate triple task of the new government. All citizens were urged to rally around their government "in the hour of supreme test" and were warned that there would be "blood and tears, sacrifice of property and lives, toil and work" before success crowned the efforts of the Jewish people. However, it also declared that "we are not standing alone, We are supported by the people of t he Diaspora and behind is the conscience of civilized humanity."
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.
