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New York Governor Designates May 9th As Israel Independence Day

May 2, 1962
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In an official proclamation designating May 9 as the Fourteenth Anniversary of the establishment of Israel’s statehood, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller today declared that the “stability of Israel offers the possibility of permanent peace in the Middle East.”

Attending the ceremonies in the Governor’s New York office were Dr. Miriam Freund, chairman of the executive committee of the American Zionist Council, who accepted the proclamation; Mr. Nathaniel S. Rothenberg, a vice-chairman of the Council; and Miss Julie Harris, the noted Broadway actress. In his proclamation, Governor Rockefeller said:

“Fourteen years ago the establishment of the independence of Israel created a new member of the family of free nations of the world. This was the consummation of decades of struggle and heartaches and of centuries of aspiration which too long appeared to be futile. It was of tremendous importance to people of the Jewish race and faith throughout the world. It was an historic achievement.

“The rebirth of Israel signified the end of the diaspora, a new status for Jewish people throughout the earth. It is also of great and valued significance to people who are not of the Jewish faith since the stability of Israel offers the possibility of permanent peace in the Near East, so long a center of potential conflict. This great event deserves to be commemorated by men and women of good will throughout our State.”

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