More than 1,000 people attended last night a memorial service at Town Hall for Israeli soldiers killed in Israel’s wars for independence and survival. The evening, organized by the Israeli Consulate here, initiated events marking Israel’s 37th anniversary.
The program included dramatic readings and songs dedicated to the fallen soldiers. Naphtali Lavie, Israel’s Consul General in New York, recalled the heroism and sacrifices of the young men and women who died while defending Israel. But, he declared, “We must not give up hope that the tragic hostilities and violence which have plagued Israel will cease and that our neighbors will learn to accept us as a free and sovereign people in our own land.”
Hundreds of diplomats, Jewish and non-Jewish figures, are expected to be among the guests tomorrow night at a reception celebrating Israel’s 37th Independence Day at the Park Avenue Atrium. The reception, which has become an annual tradition, is given by Lavie and Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations.
A special ceremony will be held at the West Point Cemetery on Sunday in honor of Colonel David (Mickey) Marcus, the American who came to Palestine in 1948 to help Israel in its war of Independence. Lavie, representing the government of Israel, will affix an official plaque to Marcus’ tombstone during the annual Memorial Day ceremony held by the American Veterans of Israel at the West Point cemetery.
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