Four thousand members of the Gadna youth battalions arrived here today from all parts of the country to welcome the traditional Hanukkah torch runners who, for the first time in Jewish history, carried torches to Jerusalem from Eilath in the south and Dan in the north by air, sea and land.
Heavy rains poured and strong winds blew this evening as the youths danced and sang near Herzl Hill, but they were prevented from proceeding to Herzl’s tomb by the torrential downpour. Among those who participated in the ceremonies were Premier David Ben Gurion and Chief of Staff Brig. Yigal Yadin.
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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.