The official colors of the state of Israel joined those of the United Nations at Independence Hall today when Israeli Premier David Ben Gurion presented his nation’s new flag to the city of Philadelphia. The presentation was made on the steps of Independence Hall at Welcoming ceremonies for the Premier whose visit to this city is part of his nationwide tour of the United States on behalf of the $500,000,000 state of Israel Independence Bond Issue.
Expressing his nation’s gratitude to Philadelphia for its aid in helping Israel to achieve independence, the Premier said he was proud to present the Israel flag to the city in which the American Declaration of Independence was signed. He said the signers of the Declaration of Independence had set the standard for true democracy the world over, and that Israel’s fight for independence paralleled that of America, a fact which emphasizes the bond of fraternity between the United States and Israel.
The blue-and-white flag of the young state was accepted by City Solicitor Frank M. Truscott, who extended the city’s welcome to Mr. Ben Gurion in the absence of Mayor Bernard Semuel, who is out of town. In his welcoming address, Mr. Truscott likened Mr. Ben Gurion to the founding fathers of this country, stressing the Premier’s vital part in Israel’s struggle for life and its eventual proclamation of independence.
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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.
