Premier David Ben Gurion today left for the United States on a special Constellation plane which will land in Washington. This is the first visit which the Israeli Premier will pay to the United States since the establishment of the Jewish states.
“It is with deep sorrow that I part from Israel when the nation is about to celebrate the third anniversary of its independence, ” Mr. Ben Gurion said at the airfield before boarding the plane. He emphasized that the celebration coincides with the liquidation of the two oldest Jewish communities in the world–the Jewish communities of Yemen and Iraq–and with Israel’s achievement in doubling its population in the three years since its establishment.
Mr. Ben Gurion recalled his previous visits to the United States and spoke of American ‘s outstanding contribution to Israel’s liberation. He mentioned for the first time the names of Americans who played a paramount role in Israel’s war of independence and promised that these names will never be forgotten.
U.S. Ambassador Monett Davis was present at the airfield to see Premier Ben Gurion off on the Israeli plane. He was accompanied by the American military attache and high embassy officials. Also present at the airfield were members of the Cabinet, leaders of the Histadrut and of the Mapai as well as hundreds of prominent Israelis. A military band played the Hatikvah while paratroop, Navy and Air Force detachments lined up in front of the plane. General Yigal Yadin, Israel’s Chief of Staff, saluted the Premier. Six fighter planes circled overhead until the Constellation took off.
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