Mrs. Paula Ben-Gurion, wife of Israel’s former Prime Minister, officially named the 23,000-ton Shalom, Israel’s newest and largest passenger liner in ceremonies today at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard where the vessel was launched last November. This was the first public ceremony in which Mrs. Ben-Gurion officiated since her husband was first named Premier of Israel 15 years ago.
Due to enter the Zim-Israel Navigation Co. transatlantic service next spring, the ship will accommodate 1,100 passengers in first and tourist classes. The vessel’s name was chosen by a special committee composed of representatives of the Israel Government and the Zim Lines which sifted suggestions from thousands of Israelis in all walks of life, including the late President, Izhak Ben-Zvi.
The $20,000,000 vessel, the first major passenger ship to be built at any French port for foreign owners, will be equipped throughout with air-conditioned staterooms and 16 public rooms including a 200-seat theater and a night club. The ship will have a synagogue and an interdenominational chapel and will provide both kosher food prepared in strict compliance with Jewish dietary laws, and non-kosher food.
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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.
