Page 98 - big friday
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was in the making? The history of the postal system shows that the road was a long and
arduous one. Since postal stamps did not yet exist, overprints (featuring the word "doar"-
post) on JNF stamps were used.
T he matter of printing stamps was likewise the focus of many questions and doubts.
Those involved in the endeavor took the trouble, first of all, to seek a suitable site as a
location for the printers. Here again, Sarona – which had been found most suitable from
a security perspective – came to their aid. A small printing house was installed, and a
printing press was brought over from Haaretz [newspaper], thereby solving the technical
aspect of the problem. But in those days the future state did not yet have a name, and
a new difficulty arose: what name would appear on the stamps? It was suggested that
they simply bear the words "Land of Israel", or that no name appear and that a symbol
be chosen instead. It was David Remez who chose the name Doar Ivri, and the People’s
Administration immediately issued a "notice concerning postal stamps":
"We hereby announce that JNF stamps with the 'post' overprint, currently in use as postage
stamps, will be removed from circulation at the end of the work day on Friday, May 14,
1948.
After May 14, the JNF stamps should no longer be used as postage stamps.
Starting on Sunday, May 16, stamps of the Hebrew Post will be on sale at all post offices
and postal agencies."
T hat Friday, the postal headquarters stood in all its finery. In Tel Aviv, the "State of Israel
On left: a JNF stamp with the 'Post' overprint, and 9 new Hebrew Post stamps
96 The Friday That Changed Destiny
arduous one. Since postal stamps did not yet exist, overprints (featuring the word "doar"-
post) on JNF stamps were used.
T he matter of printing stamps was likewise the focus of many questions and doubts.
Those involved in the endeavor took the trouble, first of all, to seek a suitable site as a
location for the printers. Here again, Sarona – which had been found most suitable from
a security perspective – came to their aid. A small printing house was installed, and a
printing press was brought over from Haaretz [newspaper], thereby solving the technical
aspect of the problem. But in those days the future state did not yet have a name, and
a new difficulty arose: what name would appear on the stamps? It was suggested that
they simply bear the words "Land of Israel", or that no name appear and that a symbol
be chosen instead. It was David Remez who chose the name Doar Ivri, and the People’s
Administration immediately issued a "notice concerning postal stamps":
"We hereby announce that JNF stamps with the 'post' overprint, currently in use as postage
stamps, will be removed from circulation at the end of the work day on Friday, May 14,
1948.
After May 14, the JNF stamps should no longer be used as postage stamps.
Starting on Sunday, May 16, stamps of the Hebrew Post will be on sale at all post offices
and postal agencies."
T hat Friday, the postal headquarters stood in all its finery. In Tel Aviv, the "State of Israel
On left: a JNF stamp with the 'Post' overprint, and 9 new Hebrew Post stamps
96 The Friday That Changed Destiny
