A personal messenger carried Independence Day greetings from President Anwar Sadat to the Israeli Embassy in Cairo today. The messenger, Nasser A-Nassri, met briefly with Israel’s Ambassador Eliahu Ben-Elissor. A reception for some 250 guests was scheduled to take place at the Embassy tonight when Memorial Day events are over and Independence Day festivities begin.
A memorial prayer service for those who fell in Israel’s wars took place last night at the Cairo synagogue. The prayer service was attended by Ben-Elissar and 70 other worshippers. Also present was Gen. Avraham Tomir, a veteran of all of Israel’s wars, who is now in charge of the normalization process with Egypt.
Memorial Day events began in Israel last night with a ceremony at the Western Wall. A memorial candle was lighted in the presence of President Yitzhak Navon and Chief of Staff Gen. Raphael Eytan. At 11 a.m. today a memorial siren sounded throughout the country, bringing traffic and work to a two-minute halt. Memorial services were held at the same time at military cemeteries.
This morning, as in previous years, Premier Menachem Begin visited the graves of seven freedom fighters who were executed by the British authorities during the Mandate in Rosh Pinah in Galilee. Later he visited the military cemetery in Safed. “On Memorial Day we have come to how our heads before you,” said Begin over the graves. “Our sons, our sacred heroes…the people thank you for your standing.”
PEACE STILL FAR AWAY
The central memorial rally was held on Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem. “Peace with our neighbors is still far away,” said Defense Minister Ezer. Weizman to the crowd which gathered of the military cemetery there. He said “The treacherous act of the messengers of terror in Misgav Am only proves it. Therefore, it is the Israel Defense Force’s duty to make all possible efforts to increase its might.” The main source of strength is the quality of the soldiers, Weizman said. “This quality is nourished by the legacy of our sons courage and sacrifice.”
The ceremonies took place during a heat wave. Many of those attending fainted and the emergency services of Red Magen David were kept busy.
Memorial Day will end tonight with a ceremony on Mt. Herzl. The solemnity of Memorial Day turns into a celebration of Israel’s 32nd anniversary of independence. Independence Day beacons will be kindled and fireworks will light up the sky.
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.
