Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of Israel, who is now in New York, today issued a message of greetings to the Israeli Government, to its armed forces, and to all the citizens of his nation on the occasion of the first anniversary of Israel’s independence which is to be observed tomorrow in the Jewish state, the United States, and by Jewish communities throughout the world.
A message received today by President Weizmann from Prime Minister David Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv reads: “On behalf of the government, I send you congratulations on Independence Day. May you be granted length of days to see the state gather in the exiles and cause the wastes to flourish again, and may we achieve peace with our neighbors.”
The text of the message from Dr. Weizmann to the government, armed forces, and people of Israel reads:
“On the anniversary of Israel’s independence and the conclusion of the first year of national freedom, I send my greetings to the government, the armed forces and all citizens of Israel, including the thousands of immigrants reaching our shores from all countries of the Dispersion.
“I am writing these words from afar, having been detained here at the urgent request of the directors of the United Jewish Appeal. This fact in itself symbolizes the special circumstances of our life. At this very hour of celebration when our eyes are fixed on past accomplishments and Victories, it is incumbent upon us to give attention to our anxieties for the futures. The moment has come to devote ourselves to unremitting efforts for the absorption of immigration and the economic consolidation of our state.
“At this very time our government is engaged in an earnest effort to establish relations of peace with the neighboring states, and to secure the completion of our international recognition. The events of the passing year have been great and impressive, but no less vast are the tasks which await us in the immediate future, May the first year of Israel’s independence radiate its inspiration upon all the coming years of freedom that are to be Israel’s destiny in future years.”
EFFORTS OF AMERICAN JEWRY IN BEHALF OF ISRAEL LAUDED BY CONSUL-GENERAL
“Arthur Lourie, Israeli Consul-General in New York, in an Independence Day ” statement, emphasized that the Israeli Government and the people of Israel “will not forget the support” extended to them by the Jewish community of the United States “at a time when on the field of battle Israel stood alone, surrounded by enemies seeking | to destroy her.”
“Emphasizing” that Israel is now confronted “with new tasks and a great challenge,” the statement said: “With the assistance of American Jewry we are confident that re shall meet this challenge and shall succeed in settling and rehabilitating the many hundreds of thousands of our brethren from Europe and the Middle East, who are today streaming to the shores of Israel.”
Tomorrow afternoon, President Weizmann will address a great outdoor meeting at the Madison Square Park in New York arranged by the American Zionist Emergency Council to mark Israel’s first anniversary of independence. Other speakers will include Dr. Isaac Herzog, Chief Rabbi of Israel; Mayor William O’Dwyer of New York City; Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, chairman of the Emergency Council and Dr. Emanuel Neumann, president of the Zionist Organization of America. In the evening a celebration will take place at Carnegie Hall, highlighted by a New York Philharmonic Symphony concert. Aubrey S. Eban, Israeli representative to the U.N., will be one of the principal speakers at the Carnegie Hall celebration.
PRESIDENT WEIZMANN IS DINNER HOST TO 30 LATIN AMERICAN DIPLOMATS
“President Weizmann was host last night to 30 Latin American diplomats at a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel marking the recognition of Israel by 20 Latin American countries. Dr. Weizmann expressed the gratitude of the people of Israel for the warm and consistent support given-their nation by the Latin American countries. He pledged that the Jewish state will try “to live up to your expectations and to the great “message which came out of Israel in the past.” Most of the countries were represented by the heads of their U.N. delegations.
The Israeli President yesterday informed Mayor O’Dwyer that he will be unable to accept an invitation to an official reception in his honor at City Hall “because my” physician has sharply limited my public appearances during my visit to the United States.” However, Dr. Weizmann added that he was looking forward to meeting the Mayor tomorrow afternoon at the Madison Square Park rally.
In a statement reviewing Israel’s achievements during the past twelve months, Eben declared that in seeking admission to the United Nations “Israel hopes to secure a status indispensable to the conclusion of peace with its neighbors.Israel’s efforts on the international scene will always be devoted to peace and the ideals of universalism and brotherhood bequeathed to the world by Israel’s prophets in ancient times,” he concluded.
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