Page 190 - ISRAEL'S CRADLE

the sovereignty over Jerusalem, although he would periodically make some move or another to strengthen the city. For example, in September 1948, while the Provisional Government and the Provisional State Council operated in Tel Aviv, the Supreme Court began operating in Jerusalem.
Ben-Gurion also decided to conduct the opening ceremony of the Constituent Assembly in Jerusalem, even though it was clear to him that the legislative body would not be able to continue to operate in Jerusalem at that stage, and preparations were made in Tel Aviv for it to continue its operations there.
Indeed, on Tu BiShvat 5709, the opening session of the Constituent Assembly was convened in Jerusalem. The most suitable place that was found for this festive gathering was the large hall in the National Institutions Building in the Rehavia neighborhood. The building was scrubbed clean and many national flags were flown over it. A large force of policemen secured the building and anyone entering its gates was carefully examined.
The President of the Provisional State Council, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, chaired the first session and said excitedly: "With feelings of reverence and holy awe I rise to open the Constituent Assembly of the State of Israel, the first Knesset (assembly) of Israel of our days, in the eternal city of Jerusalem." Dr. Chaim Weizmann mentioned the words Knesset and Knesset of Israel, although it was not then the same institution called the Knesset, but rather the Constituent Assembly. Weizmann knew, as did the other leaders of the country, that the intention was to transform the Constituent Assembly within a few days into a legislative body that would be called a Knesset and therefore saw fit to use these words.
The young Israeli Postal Service issued a First Day envelope which was sold near the Plenum Hall
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בולים // ישראל
בולים // ישראל
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