I5: 50 Years of Israel

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Introduction

Millions of people throughout the world and throughout time have kept diaries chronicling events in their lives. We have taken four events from the first 50 years of the State of Israel, and written imaginary diary entries that might have been written by witnesses and participants of the events. To place these dates into their wider context, look through the timeline.

May 14, 1948

I can't believe it. After nearly 2000 years of waiting, we have our home back… we have our state. I'm so emotional, I can hardly keep my pen still enough to write this. I just can't believe it… When I read in this morning's paper that the new state radio service would begin broadcasting at 4pm. today with the transmission of a "ceremony", I knew it could only mean one thing. Everyone I spoke to during the day was talking about it excitedly, rushing around to make sure they had all their work finished in plenty of time to settle in front of a wireless. There was only one place I was going to be though - where it was all happening, the Tel-Aviv Museum.

I got to the museum before 3pm only to be told that entrance was limited to the 200 or so recipients of private invitations, mainly newspaper editors, correspondents and members of the National Council. I certainly wasn't the only person to turn up with the hope of becoming part of this historical moment, and so I took my place out in the street with the ever-growing crowds, as one-by-one, the future leaders of our state walked past us and into the museum. The last person to enter, accompanied by riotous cheering and flag-waving, was the usually shirtsleeved David Ben-Gurion, dressed in a dark suit and tie. Suddenly a car screeched to a halt outside the museum. With its engine still running, the driver jumped out and ran into the building clutching what turned out to be the actual Declaration of Independence! Apparently he'd been stopped by a policeman for speeding on his way to the ceremony and had to convince him to let him go in order that the proclamation could be made at the scheduled time!

At precisely 4.32pm, with the Declaration read out and signed by the 35 Council Members, and the Hatikvah sung by a hall of teary eyed witnesses and participants, Ben-Gurion closed the ceremony with the words: "The State of Israel is established. The meeting is ended!"

Today will live with me for the rest of my life…

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