Israeli Govt. Authorized to Appropriate $75,000 for Reburial of Herzl’s Remains

The last will and testament of Dr. Theodor Herzl, founder of political Zionism, will officially be fulfilled when his remains are reburied in Jerusalem next Wednesday. A bill to this effect was unanimously adopted in the Knesset last night.

The bill empowers the Israeli Government to place at the disposal of the Jewish National Fund a plot of land for Herzl’s grave. It also stipulates that the executive of the World Zionist Organization is to receive all necessary assistance from the Israeli Army and other government services for the proper execution of Herzl’s will.

The bill also authorizes the Israeli Finance Minister to appropriate up to $75,000 to meet the costs of the reinterment, while an additional $75,000 will be contributed by the World Zionist Organization.

Meanwhile, arrangements for the reinterment ceremonies next week were made known today. Seven giant candles–representing the seven stars proposed by Herzl for the flag of Israel to symbolize a seven-hour working day–and a high-powered searchlight will illuminate the platform on which Herzl’s coffin will be placed Tuesday evening in the center of Knesset Square. Tel Aviv’s residents will be given an opportunity to file past the bier to pay their last respects to Zionism’s founder.

The Herzl funeral committee, with Acting President Joseph Sprinzak attending, decided at a meeting today that immediately after the arrival of the Herzl coffin at Lydda airport on Tuesday afternoon, the Knesset will conduct a special memorial session in the presence of members of the foreign diplomatic corps. Thereafter, all members of the Knesset will file past a temporary cenotaph, with the procession headed by Mr. Spinzak and other government leaders.