The course of British-Israel relations from their “lowest ebb” after the Israeli War of Independence to the present British appreciation of “Israel’s work and international standing” was traced here last night in an Independence Day message by Israeli Ambassador Arthur Lourie on the Hebrew language service of BBC.
The envoy said that improved political understanding between the two countries had brought an immense improvement in other areas, particularly in the economic field. He said that British industrialists and financiers were showing a growing interest in investment in Israel which was leading to important achievements in this area.
Separate Independence Day rallies were held by the Mizrachi Federation, celebrating its 60th anniversary, and by the Zionist Federation. The most brilliant of the celebrations was the official Israel Government observance at the Embassy, where Ambassador Lourie received, among others, Charles Hill, Minister for Housing; Air Minister Julian Amery; and Home Office Undersecretary Dennis Vosper. Among those present was also Soviet Ambassador Soldatov.
A statue of Lord Balfour, author of the Balfour Declaration, was unveiled by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on Independence Day in the members lobby of the House of Commons, where it joins representations of other former British Prime Ministers. Among those attending the unveiling was the present Lord Balfour.
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