The seventh World Maccabiah Games closed this evening in ceremonies at Ramat Gan Stadium where a capacity crowd of more than 50,000 spectators saw the large United States contingent capture the lion’s share of the medals.
In an address at the closing ceremonies, Israel Prime Minister Levi Eshkol urged upon the participants to bring to the Jewish communities in their home countries Israel’s call for immigration. He said that the Maccabiah proved that “the Jewish nation is united.”
The competition ended with the finals in the men’s 1,500-meter track meet, which was won by Britain; and the 400-meter and 1,600-meter relays, won by the United States. Earlier in the day, an Israel all-star soccer team defeated Italy’s crack Torino squad by a score of 2 to 1.
After the final competition, the participants marched around the stadium, and the Maccabian flame above the huge outdoor arena was extinguished. Pierre Gildesgame, of Britain, Maccabiah world chairman, officially declared the games ended, and invited the participants to return for the eighth Maccabiah Games.
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