El Al Israel Airlines took delivery yesterday of its first Boeing 707 Intercontinental jet airliner in a formal ceremony held at Boeing Field here.
Gleaming in the blue and white markings of Israel’s national airline, the big jet received the “Shehecheyanu.” or traditional Jewish blessing said over first time events, from three local rabbis representing all sections of the Jewish religious community. The blessing was part of a brief official ceremony attended by some 250 persons and including representatives of the Israeli government, Washington State, the airline and Boeing officials.
Representing the Israeli government were the Honorable Aryeh Manor, Economic Minister, Israeli Embassy, Washington, D. C.; Avram Salmon, Economic Consul, and Lt. Col. Yehuda Arbel, Military Attache. Governor Albert D. Rosellini represented the State of Washington. Attending for the airline were Brig. Gen. Ephraim Ben Arzi, El Al president; Dror Galezer, Manager-Americas, and Chaim Pearlman, El Al resident representative at Boeing. Following the ceremonies the 707 took off for New York to begin its operations with the airline.
El Al Israel Airlines has ordered three of the Boeing Intercontinentals and two Boeing 720B medium range jets. Utilizing the long-range 707 intercontinentals the airline this summer is scheduled to begin the first non-stop service between New York and Tel Aviv — a distance of 5, 650 miles and the longest regularly-scheduled commercial non-stop flight. The airline has been operating regular jet service between the United States, Europe and Israel with leased Boeing 707 equipment.
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