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Yom Ha'atzmaut

"The State of Israel will be open to the immigration of Jews from all countries of their dispersion; will promote the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; will be based on the principles of liberty, justice and peace as conceived by the Prophets of Israel ; will uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens, without distinction of religion, race, or sex; will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, education, and culture; will safeguard the holy places of all religions; and will uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter".
From Israel's Declaration of Independence

On the fifth of Iyar 5708 (May 14,1948) Israel was reborn as a modern, independent state. Since that time Jews throughout the world have celebrated the day in commemoration and rejoicing.

It had been an uphill struggle since the Balfour Declaration of 1917. But as the full extent of the Holocaust became known after the second world war, western Jewry's determination to help the survivors and prevent any repetition by establishing a Jewish state in Palestine took on messianic intensity. On 29th November 1947 the United nations voted by 33 votes to 13 to partition Palestine between the Arabs and the Jews. Six months later the State of Israel was declared by David Ben Gurion, first President of the new country, and the forces of the five neighbouring Arab countries attacked. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Israeli army won the day and established themselves over 8,000 square miles of Palestine. In May 1949, Israel was admitted as the 59th member of the United Nations.

The celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut recognises that a new era has dawned for Jews. It brings the whole House of Israel together to celebrate in unity, affirming the bond between Israeli and Diaspora Jews around the world. The rebirth of Israel from the ashes of the Sho-ah is a symbol of hope against despair, of redemption against devastation.

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