Former Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion has changed his mind and will not boycott Israel’s Independence Day Parade in Jerusalem on May 2, it was learned here today. But the 82-year-old leader will insist on sitting in the public area rather than in the seats reserved for VIPs. Mr. Ben-Gurion was also apparently persuaded by friends to accept an invitation to address a festive session of the Knesset (Parliament) marking Israel’s 20th anniversary. He will be the only speaker on that occasion. Mr. Ben-Gurion said a week ago that he would not attend the parade or take part in the official Independence Day celebrations. He gave no reason. But he refused to accept a special Israel’s Award that was to have been conferred on him on Independence Day in recognition of his life-long service to Israel.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
