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Jews Throughout the World Celebrate Israel’s Independence Day

April 18, 1956
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A huge rally celebrating Israel’s eighth Independence Day was held at St. Pancreas Town Hall here last night under the sponsorship of the Zionist Federation of Great Britain. Afterwards, hundreds of Jews, including Israeli citizens in this country, danced the hora and other traditional dances in the streets around the hall.

German Jews celebrated Israel’s Independence Day yesterday with meetings in West Berlin and Frankfurt which were addressed by members of the Israel Purchasing Mission in West Germany. The mission itself held a reception in Cologne, where it has its headquarters. The reception was attended by several hundred persons, mainly Jews from Cologne and the neighboring communities.

More than 1,000 people attended an Israel Independence Day celebration here last night sponsored by the Swedish-Israel Society and the Zionist Federation of Sweden. Gosta Elfving, editor-in-chief of the pro-government daily Morgen Tidningen and major speaker at the affair, said that Israel must not become a “pawn in a political chess game.”

The Jews of this city celebrated Israel Independence Day yesterday at a festive rally. They were joined in the celebration by the crew of the Israeli freighter “Haifa” which arrived here en route from New York and which was completely decorated with flags for the occasion.

Representatives of all four political parties included in Canada’s Parliament addressed a demonstration here yesterday in celebration of Israel’s Independence Day. The demonstration, held under the auspices of the United Zionist Council of Montreal, was chaired by Leon D. Crestohl, Q. C., M. P.

Prime Minister Johannes G. Strijdom and members of his Cabinet last night attended a reception marking the anniversary of Israel Independence Day. The reception was given by Israel Minister Itzhak Bavli. Johannesburg Jews gathered in a stadium here last night to celebrate Israel’s eighth Independence Day Israel Maisels, president of the South African Board of Jewish Deputies, called the rally the largest in the history of South African Jewry.

Israel’s Independence Day was celebrated here today at a huge gathering addressed by Yoseff Kessary, Israel Minister to Mexico. The celebration was arranged by the Jewish Central Committee and the Zionist Federation of Mexico. A reception at the Israeli Legation was attended by the entire diplomatic corps, officials of the Mexican Government and Jewish leaders.

A three-day festival marking the eighth anniversary of Israel’s establishment as a state was concluded by the Jewish community of this city here yesterday. Highlight of the celebration was a rally at which the principal speakers were Israel’s Consul S. M. Kaplan, Capt. A. Amitai and Chief Rabbi Meyer Rosenbaum. The rally was followed by dancing.

Israel’s Independence Day was marked here by a demonstration of solidarity with the Jewish State. In addition to the participation of Jewish and communal leaders, the celebration was also marked by the attendance of Israeli Minister Samuel Goren and many Chilean governmental figures–including the Foreign Minister and the Ministers of Justice and Agriculture, parliamentary leaders and a representative of the Catholic University, Professor Vergara. Chilean newspapers and radio also took special note of Israel’s birthday, with special editions and broadcasts.

Argentine Jewry celebrated Israel Independence Day yesterday at a dinner sponsored by the Argentine Zionist Federation at which leading Jews and non-Jews spoke of the achievements of the Jewish State. Ambassador Arieh Kubovi gave a reception for the diplomatic corps last night, to which leading members of the Argentine Government and the envoys of the Big Four can. Earlier in the day Ambassador Kubovi spoke on the Argentine national radio on the subject of Israel independence.

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