Lindsay Declared April 25-30 Israel Independence Week in New York

Mayor John V. Lindsay declared April 25-30 as Israeli Independence Week “in ceremonies today at City Hall. In a proclamation presented to Acting Israeli Consul General Yakov Aviad and Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the American Zionist Federation, Lindsay praised Israel, which celebrates its 23rd anniversary April 30, for her “great spiritual and practical experience with other young and growing nations” and her “alignment with the free and democratic world in the preservation of liberty and human dignity for the common good of all.” Israel, the Mayor said, “merits the continued full support and understanding of the American people” He referred to the “many citizens of New York whose heritage rests in this renowned and ancient land.” The annual Israeli Independence parade up Fifth Avenue will take place Sunday, April 25. Sponsored by the American Zionist Youth Foundation, an estimated 70,000 youth from over 300 schools, youth groups and community centers are expected to participate in the parade. Rabbi Miller, who is also chairman of the Israel Anniversary Committee, announced that the 23rd anniversary celebration of Israel’s independence will focus on the current Israel-Egypt peace talks. On April 28 an independence celebration will be held at Carnegie Hall. Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Yosef Tekoah will represent his country at that event.

Other speakers will include Louis A. Pincus, chairman of the Jewish Agency in Israel; two United States Senators, New York Conservative James L. Buckley and Washington Democrat Henry M. Jackson; and Rabbi Miller. The two Senators Rabbi Miller said, “are expected to make important statements on their positions regarding the current peace talks between Israel and Egypt being carried on through Ambassador Gunnar Jarring. The appearance of Senator Buckley will be his first before a major Zionist group since his election last November.” The Jewish community of Bergen County–eighth largest in the United States–will express the closeness of its ties with Jewish brethren through-out the world through participation in the Salute to Israel Parade. Rabbi Aryeh Gottlieb of Paramus, chairman for Bergen County, said, “we hope to express for all mankind the hope that soon in our time swords will once again be beaten into plow-shares and pruning forks, not guns, become the tools with which the next generation of Middle East Jewish youth will grow up.” In Chicago the Jews of that city will mark Israel Independence Day with a celebration April 28 at Orchestra Hall. The event will be highlighted by the appearance of Yitzhak Rabbi, Israeli Ambassador to the United States and Natan Peled, Minister of Absorption in the Israeli Cabinet and a member of Mapam, who is coming to the United States especially for his Independence Day appearances on behalf of the American Zionist Federation.