EL AND THE Fi
&ENT OF THE STATE

I OF INDEPENDENCE

Independence, released in Tel Aviv, Israel,

ional Jewish Government:

Accordingly we, the members of the National Council, representing
the 'Jewish people in Palestine and the Zionist movement of the world,
met together in solemn assembly by virtue of the natural and historic
right of the Jewish people and of resolution of the General Assembly of
the United Nations:

Hereby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish state in Palestine,
to be called Israel.

We hereby declare that as from the termination of the Mandate at
mignight this night of the 14th to 15th of May, 1948, and until the setting
up of duly-elected bodies of the state in accordance with a constitution
to be drawn up by a constituent assembly not later than the first day of
October, 1948, the present National Council shall act as the Provisional
State Council, and its executive organ, the National Administration,
shall constitute the Provisional Government of the state of Israel.

The state of Israel will promote the development of the country for
the benefit of all its inhabitants; will be based on precepts of liberty,
.justice and peace taught by the Hebrew prophets; will uphold the full
social and political equality of all its citizens without distinction of race,
creed or sex; will safeguard the sanctity and inviolability of shrines and
holy places of all religions; and will dedicate itself to the principles of the
Charter of the United Nations.

The state of Israel will be ready to cooperate with the organs and
representatives of the United Nations in the implementation of the reso-
luton of November 29, 1947, and will take steps to bring about an
economic union over the whole of Palestine.

DR. CHAIM WEIZMANN, FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE PRO.
VISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF
ISRAEL, and MRS.
•EIZMANN, ISRAEL'S FIRST LADY.

We appeal to the United Nations to assist. the Jewish people in the
building of its state and admit Israel into the family of nations.

In the midst of wanton aggresson we call upon the Arab inhabitants
of the state of Israel to return to the ways of peace and play their part in
the development of the state, with full and equal citizenship and due repre-
sentation in all ifs bodies and institutions, provisional or permanent.

We offer peace and amity to all neighboring states and their
peoples, and invite them to co-operate with the independent Jewish
nation for the common good of all. The state of Israel is ready to contri-
bute its full share to the peaceful progress and reconstitution of the
Middle East. Our call goes out to the Jewish people all over the world to
rally to our side in the task of immigration and development, and to
stand by us in the great struggle for the fulfillment of the dream of
generations—the redemption of Israel.

With trust in Almighty God, we set our hands to this declaration at
this session of the Provisional State Council in the city of Tel Aviv this
Sabbath eve, the fifth day of lyar, 5708, the fourteenth day of May,
1948.

1g1:4

nann's Cable to the
of Israel Accepting
in Israel

by the Provisional Council of Government of the State

Haganah fighters stand guard as Star of David flag flies over Haifa.

In this great hour of celebration we must not forget

that I accept this election and I am deeply grateful to
i t myself
to the service of the land and people in whose

the great needs which challenge American Jewry,

ishing the blessing of God upon them. I pray that the

the security of the State of Israel. Give liberally

cled by an era of peace, development and prosperity for

to the Allied Jewish Campaign end . help raise the

e
o the Provisional Government and to the people of Israel

1

construction and advancement of the new state.

but my thoughts and prayers are especially with those
future of Israel will not 13e. unworthy of those who have

as the partner of the People of Israel in assuring

funds necessary for defense—through the Naga-

nah funds provided by the United Palestine Appeal

--and the colonization assistance funds of the

Joint Distribution Committee.

MAY 21, 1948-13

