Israel Celebrates 23rd Anniversary with Parades, Naval and Air Reviews

Cloudless skies, marking the end of the recent winter weather, induced thousands of Israelis to trek to the woods and national parks to spend Independence Day picknicking. Others enjoyed the numerous public events, including parades, receptions, naval and air reviews and, last night, fireworks. Still others, particularly the teenagers, were fast asleep, having danced and reveled in the streets all night. The entire Cabinet, led by Premier Golda Meir, called on President Zalman Shazar at his residence in the heart of this city and offered him its good wishes. An hour later the President welcomed 119 soldiers who had distinguished themselves during the past year. As each was introduced by Chief of Staff Haim Bar-Lev, he received a certificate from Shazar. Three thousand persons–including leading citizens, consular representatives, Jewish and Moslem clergymen and Defense Minister Moshe Dayan–attended a garden party in the Citadel, part of the 500-year-old Jaffa Gate in the Old City. The hosts were Mayor Teddy Kollek and Acting District Governor Raphael Levy.

Israel’s tough national youth soccer team–all of whose members are under 23–gave Israelis a welcome holiday present by making the semifinals at the All-Asian Soccer Championship for Youth being held in faraway Tokyo. The Israeli team played to a draw with South Korea, and because of its earlier victories finished first in its group. The Israelis were to have opposed Kuwait, but that country refused to play against them and forfeited the game. The captain of the Kuwait team had explained to an Israeli television reporter last week “we do not hate the Israelis, but we have been ordered by our government not to play against them.” Israel will meet Burma in the semifinals next Monday. Back home, a highlight of the day was the international Bible-knowledge quiz for youths. There were contestants from 28 lands, but the first three places went, as expected, to Israelis, who receive intensive biblical instruction in school. The first-prize winner was Israel Vechoropulos, a 16-year-old immigrant from Greece. His victory was personally cheered by Premier Meir, Knesset members, senior Army officers, leaders of the Jewish Agency and others. The panel of judges was headed by the Interior Minister Rabbi Yosef Burg. In an impressive demonstration of Air Force power, 132 jets–all American-made–flew maneuvers over major Israeli cities. The pilots manned 64 Skyhawks, 57 Phantoms and 11 Fougas. Along the Tel Aviv beach, Israeli naval units presented a parade of gun boats and patrol vessels and a submarine. During the presentation, paratroopers parachuted into the sea–alone and in groups–and were retrieved from the chilly water within seconds by Navy boats crisis-crossing the area.