“The unity of Israel” will be the theme of Independence Day, to be celebrated this year on May 7, marking the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish State.
According to Yaacov Katz, director of the Government Information Office, the unity theme will embrace more than ties between various groups of the Jewish people. A wide variety of communal and ethnic groups will be honored this year, he said, including non-Jews.
Among the latter will be a Druze border policeman and a Moslem teacher of Arabic to Jews who will be singled out as representatives of their respective communities in Israel. They will be given the honor of joining the Jews selected to light the beacons on Mt. Herzl on the evening of May 6, signalling the start of Independence Day celebrations.
The events will include the annual award of the prestigious Israel Prize by President Chaim Herzog. This year it will be presented to the development towns and the Nahal, the special army unit whose soldiers are involved in the establishment of new settlements.
There will be no military parade this year. But army camps, military museums, military industries and other defense-related installations will be open to the public.
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