Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Reflections on Israel's Memorial Day


Land Without Regret -Hillel Halkin

For all its shortcomings, Israel is and will always be one of the most glorious historical adventures in the history of mankind. A 3,000-year-old people, the victim of the greatest act of mass murder ever committed on this planet, has the indomitable will to reconstitute itself in its ancient homeland, to revive its ancient language, to assert its right to live, to create new life, to nourish it and maintain it in defiance of all odds - there's never been anything else like it before and never will be again.
(National Post-Canada)


Israel Gets Nostalgic for the Old Days -Matti Friedman

As Israel celebrates its 60th birthday, Israelis have their gaze set firmly backward.

Turn on the TV and you'll see grainy archive footage and old-timers reminiscing about desert wars and pioneering days on the kibbutz.The hottest new CD features contemporary singers covering Israeli favorites from decades past.

[I]n an anniversary poll published in the daily Yediot Ahronot, 91% of Israelis said it was "fairly good" or "very good" to live in Israel.
(AP)


"I Was at Israel's Founding"

Arieh Handler, 93, a member of the Zionist General Council, recounts that historic day of 14 May 1948 when the State of Israel was declared.

"I still have the original invitation. It reads: 'From the Administration of the Nation, Tel Aviv. We are honored to send to you this invitation to the session of the declaration of independence.'"

After the state was declared, "Egyptian planes were already bombing Tel Aviv... "Despite all these troubles, there was tremendous excitement. People were dancing in the streets, day and night, even as the planes were bombing."
(BBC News)

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