Page 125 - big friday
P. 125
I ndependence Ceremony in Haifa
While the official ceremony of the proclamation of the state took place
in Tel Aviv, other ceremonies and events were held in Haifa, and these
received extensive press coverage.
A flag-raising ceremony marking the proclamation of the State of Israel was held at 4pm in
the plaza adjacent to the Government House on Hassan Shukri Street in Haifa, with many
thousands of participants.
Public figures, including members of the city council and representatives of the Hagana
headquarters, were gathered on a carpeted podium. The only British representatives to be
seen were invited to the podium as guests; they included the Haifa city engineer, G.L.A.
Watson; and Lorna Wingate, wife of the late Brigadier, who wept openly during the
impressive ceremony.
F ollowing a trumpet blast, the declaration of the Provisional State Council on the day
of the Mandate's conclusion was read out as the crowd stood at attention. The concluding
words, concerning the establishment of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel, were received
with applause. At 4:15pm the flag was raised on the Government House flagpole, with an
armed guard of honor at its side. The crowd cheered.
The MC's words were thrilling: "Who will remove the dust from your eyes, O generations
of Israel who longed for redemption – dreamers and fighters; Guardians of the Walls and
Hovevei Tzion (Lovers of Zion); those who fell in the attempt to reach the Land, and in
the war; the fallen of the Jewish Brigade, Bar Kokhba, Yehuda HaLevi, Benjamin Zeev
Herzl – to see this day, its light, its consolation. If only you could hear the news: the State
of Israel has arisen!"
As the flags were lowered to half-mast, the MC recalled the casualties whose blood had
paved the nation's revival and rejuvenation. Honor to those fallen in the nation's struggle!
The ceremony concluded with the audience singing the national anthem, accompanied
by an orchestra. There was a concluding march past the flag, by units representing the
security forces: Field Corps officers, a mobile company, the Guard Corps, Youth Corps,
the Girl Fighters' Corps, a police squadron without their Mandatory caps, members of
Magen David Adom, the fire brigade, and members of the Civil Guard.
The large gathering dispersed, with waves of bottled-up joy overflowing in the streets.
Guns were fired in celebration.
T he Same Day, in... 123
While the official ceremony of the proclamation of the state took place
in Tel Aviv, other ceremonies and events were held in Haifa, and these
received extensive press coverage.
A flag-raising ceremony marking the proclamation of the State of Israel was held at 4pm in
the plaza adjacent to the Government House on Hassan Shukri Street in Haifa, with many
thousands of participants.
Public figures, including members of the city council and representatives of the Hagana
headquarters, were gathered on a carpeted podium. The only British representatives to be
seen were invited to the podium as guests; they included the Haifa city engineer, G.L.A.
Watson; and Lorna Wingate, wife of the late Brigadier, who wept openly during the
impressive ceremony.
F ollowing a trumpet blast, the declaration of the Provisional State Council on the day
of the Mandate's conclusion was read out as the crowd stood at attention. The concluding
words, concerning the establishment of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel, were received
with applause. At 4:15pm the flag was raised on the Government House flagpole, with an
armed guard of honor at its side. The crowd cheered.
The MC's words were thrilling: "Who will remove the dust from your eyes, O generations
of Israel who longed for redemption – dreamers and fighters; Guardians of the Walls and
Hovevei Tzion (Lovers of Zion); those who fell in the attempt to reach the Land, and in
the war; the fallen of the Jewish Brigade, Bar Kokhba, Yehuda HaLevi, Benjamin Zeev
Herzl – to see this day, its light, its consolation. If only you could hear the news: the State
of Israel has arisen!"
As the flags were lowered to half-mast, the MC recalled the casualties whose blood had
paved the nation's revival and rejuvenation. Honor to those fallen in the nation's struggle!
The ceremony concluded with the audience singing the national anthem, accompanied
by an orchestra. There was a concluding march past the flag, by units representing the
security forces: Field Corps officers, a mobile company, the Guard Corps, Youth Corps,
the Girl Fighters' Corps, a police squadron without their Mandatory caps, members of
Magen David Adom, the fire brigade, and members of the Civil Guard.
The large gathering dispersed, with waves of bottled-up joy overflowing in the streets.
Guns were fired in celebration.
T he Same Day, in... 123
