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A wide array of world leaders, political and cultural personalities are due to arrive in Israel in the coming weeks to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence. Official celebrations will take place throughout the country on May 8. Israel observes its rebirth on a slightly different date each year because of the Hebrew calendar; in the United States, Israel’s anniversary is celebrated on May 14.
U.S. President George Bush will visit Israel and hold talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as well as address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. He will also visit Masada, an ancient fortress built by King Herod in 31 BCE, the site of the last stand of Jews rebelling against the Roman army in 73 CE. In addition, former British Prime Minister and current Envoy for the International Quartet Tony Blair will attend the celebrations, as will former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Among the presidents taking part are Victor Yushchenko of Ukraine, Bamir Topi of Albania, Valdis Zatlers of Latvia, Lech Kaczynski of Poland, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Michael Saakashvili of Georgia, Stjepan Mesic of Croatia, Danilo Türk of Slovenia, Tommy Remengesau Jr. and Blaise Campoare of Burkina Faso.
Other notable guests include prime ministers Robert Fico of the Slovak Republic and Ferenc Gyurcsany of Hungary, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Google founder Sergey Brin, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and India's Tata group chairman Ratan Tata. German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Israel in mid-March for an early 60th celebration. During her three-day trip she visited the Jerusalem Holocaust Museum Yad V’shem, met with Olmert and addressed the Knesset. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled to visit in late June.
A number of public events also will be held to mark Israel’s rebirth, including three huge birthday parties on Israeli beaches and in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv on May 9. In addition, 10 military bands from 10 countries will play in a concert in Haifa entitled “Saluting with notes, military bands play for peace” on May 8. There will also be light, laser and music displays on May 5 throughout the country.
Israel’s 60th celebratory events also will take place around the world. Dozens of cities in the U.S. are celebrating with Israeli artist performances. Los Angeles is hosting an Israel Independence Day festival on May 18 which will include a fashion show, carnival rides, an Israeli art exhibit and an official 60th Independence Day ceremony; a variety of local, state and federal government dignitaries are slated to attend.
On June 1, Washington D.C. will host “Israel@60: A Capital Celebration,” an all-day event on the National Mall featuring an Israeli band and a variety of performers including Regina Spektor and Mandy Patinkin. [10]
Also on June 1, there is to be a rally in New York City as well as a multitude of musical performances, art exhibits and other events that will take place during May and June throughout the city (see resources below). Starting Sunday (May 4), banners with images showing Israel’s diverse population will adorn 51 blocks along New York City’s Fifth Avenue as part of a “Faces of Israel” campaign. Among the Israelis to be featured on the banners are a Vietnamese refugee who represents a major Israeli bank in Singapore; African-American basketball player Derrick Sharp, who moved to Israel 15 years ago and plays for the Israeli national basketball team; and Israeli Arab diplomat Rania Jubran.
In the UK, a parade with floats and marching bands has been organized for June 29 in London’s Trafalgar Square to celebrate the anniversary. Events have already been held and will continue to be held in several other countries including Australia, France, South Africa and Italy.
For assistance with stories about Israel’s 60th anniversary, including arranging interviews with prominent Israeli personalities, please contact TIP’s Communications Director Eli Ovits by email at elio@theisarelproject.org or by telephone at 972-2-623-6427 (office) or 972-54-807-9093 (cell).
Additional Israel@60 resources:
Israel @ 60 site from the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations (COP)
Israel @ 60 www.israelbirthday.com
Israel @ 60 events at universities (Israel on Campus Coalition)
Israel @ 60 site from the Conservative movement (MERCAZ USA)
Israel @ 60 participation details from the Reform movement (ARZA)
Israel @ 60 site from Hadassah
Israel @ 60 Shabbat from the Orthodox movement (Orthodox Union)
Israel @ 60 with 60 events featuring israeli performers in the U.S.
Israel @ 60 Salute to Israel parade (New York City)
Israel @ 60 Celebration on the National Mall (Washington, D.C.)
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