Israel started celebration of Passover in gay spirits and in an atmosphere of a record abundance of tourists and ample supplies of food.
Lydda Airport was a beehive of activity in the 24 hours before the first Seder as jets and turboprop giant airliners discharged guests for the holiday. A new passengers hall enabled airport officials to handle the hundreds of arrivals in record time. A total of 15 planes landed at the airport on Sunday with 2,000 visitors. During the prior week, El Al flew in 5,000 persons.
Israel’s transport services mobilized “everything on wheels” to handle the hundreds of thousands of Israelis moving about the country for family gatherings. The western shores of the Sea of Galilee were dotted with hitch-hikers. The kibbutzim were filled to capacity with overseas visitors. Passover supplies were adequate, and prices were stable.
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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.
