Two warships of the Israel Navy, flying the blue and white flag, will arrive here tomorrow morning on the first leg of a goodwill visit to cities along the east coast of the United States. The vessels are coming here in conjunction with the nationwide launching of the $500,000,000 state of Israel Bond Issue on May 1.
The flotilla, composed of the frigate “Misgav” and the corvette “Haganah,” will remain in New York for 10 days as guests of the 3rd Naval District before proceeding to Boston, its next port of call. It will be welcomed here tomorrow by a delegation headed by Deputy Mayor Charles Horowitz, Arthur Lourie, Israel Consul General in New York, and other officials.
Both ships are under the command of 30-year-old commander Shlomo Erel, who served with the U.S. Maritime Fleet during World War II. They are manned by 191 officers and men, all veterans of Israel’s War of Independence in 1948. The crew members–most of whom are survivors of Nazi concentration camps — emigrated to Israel from 24 different countries.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
