Israel Celebrates Fourth Anniversary of Indepence

The celebration of the fourth anniversary of Israel’s independence began throughout the Jewish State today as schoolchildren, men and women in the armed forces and private citizens took time out to observe the happy event.

A special broadcast by the Minister of Education, Prof. B.Z. Dinaburg, was heard in all schools and in Tel Aviv the Navy played host to large parties of school-children who were carried out to the fleet in motor launches. After the “inspection” by Israel’s younger generation, the Navy put on a series of maneuvers witnessed by thousands who lined the city’s shore.

In all Army centers parades were held to honor the memory of the men and women who died to make and keep Israel free. Special services were held in the schools and at exactly 12:45 P.M. sirens aboard ships in the harbor, at fire stations and at civil defense establishments signalled a three-minute period of silence in memory of the war dead.

Preparations are being made for a monster parade in Tel Aviv tomorrow in which civilians as well as soldiers, sailors and airmen will participate. Representatives of Jewish communities from all over the world have assembled here to join in the celebrations.

In a special Independence Day message, President Weizmann, whose health does not permit him to join in the celebrations this year, told the Israeli people that “these are great days of test for us, but our spirit must not fail. I am convinced from the bottom of my heart, ” he continued, “that just as we were granted to witness the renewal of our independence so we may live to see our full national redemption.

“On this solemn day I would say this to all my brethren: the future of Israel rests on three foundations–brotherly love, constructive effort and peace near and far,” the President said in his message.