By all Standards, it was a diplomatic triumph for Israel last night as close to 2000 people jammed the delegates’ dining room here to participate in celebrating Israel’s 25th anniversary.
During the early hours of the evening more than 700 diplomats and delegates from North, Central and South America, Western Europe and a number of African and Asian countries along with journalists from all parts of the world expressed their best wishes to the hosts of the festive and gala event, Israeli Ambassador Yosef Tekoah, his wife, Mrs. Yosef Tekoah, Consul-General of Israel in New York David Rivlin, and his wife, Mrs. David Rivlin. Among the dignitaries present were the Rumanian ambassador and the undersecretary of the Soviet delegation to the UN.
One diplomat noted that even delegates who routinely vote against Israel during the working sessions hoisted a few whiskey sours and bloody Marys to wash down the cocktail frankfurters and meatballs in abundance throughout the dining room. Only the Arab and “Third World” delegates were conspicuous by their absence.
Later at night more than 700 Jewish community leaders and dignitaries arrived to toast Shalom to Israel and to extend their best wishes to the Israeli diplomats, to Israel’s government and to the people of Israel.
United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim, who was in Copenhagen, cabled Tekoah a message which stated: “On the occasion of Independence Day I wish to offer to you and through you to the government and people of Israel my greetings and sincere good wishes and highest consideration.”
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