President Zalman Shazar of Israel was greeted by Brazilian President Castelo Branco, Vice-President Jose Alkmin, Cabinet members and military leaders when he arrived here today for a 10-day state visit on his tour of South American countries.
Also present at the airport to greet the Israeli President were diplomats, Congressmen, representatives of Brazil’s Jewish community and Archbishop Dom Jose Newton of Brasilia. After a performance of the national anthems of Brazil and Israel, Mr. Shazar was given a 21-gun salute. He reviewed an honorary guard of the Brazilian Navy, Army and Air Force.
Exceptional security measures were taken by his hosts. Troops were placed along the ten-mile route from the airport to the city. No civilians were admitted to the airport. The 40 Jewish families living in Brasilia welcomed Mr. Shazar after he arrived at the Hotel Nacional which flew the Presidential Flag.
Many main street shops, offices and institutions in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and and Sao Paulo were displaying posters with the President’s portrait, which had been issued by the Brazilian foreign ministry. The Lubavicher school in Sao Paulo also distributed large welcome placards bearing President Shazar’s picture. A caravan of 30 official and 40 private cars escorted Mr. Shazar to the hotel. During the ride, the two Presidents discussed the meaning of the Holy Scriptures, particularly the psalms.
In honor of Mr. Shazar’s visit, the Brazilian Post Office put out a special issue of a commemorative postage stamp bearing the likeness of the Israeli President. Three million copies of the special stamp are expected to be distributed to the public. Many of the leading newspapers and magazines in Brazil published special editions devoted in whole or part to Mr. Shazar’s visit and to the State of Israel.
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.
