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Last update - 13:51 29/04/2009
Obama congratulates Israel on turning 61
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel Independence Day 

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday congratulated Israel on celebrating its 61st Independence Day, and promised to advance peace talks in the Middle East.

In a statement issued by the White House, Obama vowed to pursue the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians in reaching a comprehensive peace. He also noted that Israel's security concerns would be addressed as part of the process.

The U.S. bond with Israel is "as unshakeable as ever," he said.
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"On behalf of the people of the United States, President Obama congratulates the people and government of Israel on the 61st anniversary of Israel's independence," he continued. "The United States was the first country to recognize Israel in 1948, minutes after its declaration of independence, and the deep bonds of friendship between the U.S. and Israel remain as strong and unshakeable as ever."

"The President looks forward to working with Israel to advance our common interests, including the realization of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, ensuring Israel's security, and strengthening the bilateral relationship, over the months and years to come," the statement continued.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are taking to parks and nature reserves on Wednesday to enjoy the warm weather and take part in the barbecue tradition associated with the national holiday.

Independence Day celebrations kicked off Tuesday night with the lighting of beacons at the official ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

Former Tel Aviv mayor Shlomo Lahat, musician Kobi Oz and actress Yevgenia Dodina were among the 12 people singled out to light the beacons at the ceremony.

Israeli leaders praised the accomplishments of their nation while warning of external threats.

In a video message at the official ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent out his blessing on this day of independence, saying "the sharp transition between the silence of memorial day and the joy of independence day is not simple, but precisely at this clear moment, the full meaning of the existence of the state of Israel becomes apparent, the dream of generations of our people, the safe haven for which we have prayed and hoped, for generations upon generations of Jews."

"I want to congratulate you, Israel's citizens, on this day," Netanyahu continued, "for the victory of our collective dream, a victory of the spirit, a victory of faith, a victory of persistence, hope and work."

"Thanks to all these, we have surmounted enormous obstacles. We rose from the depths of death and ovens; we came together from west and east and embarked on a path to life and resurrection. We revived our ancient language, we took the Hebrew language from the scriptures and brought it into our daily lives, our schools, our universities, our culture and science, and we also never forgot the scriptures," Netanyahu went on to say.

"Unfortunately, Israel remains under threat," the prime minister said. "An Iranian regime that is feverishly pursuing nuclear weapons brazenly calls for our destruction. Terror organizations on our southern and northern borders grow stronger by the day."

Before the prime minister's address, Parliament Speaker Reuven Rivlin spoke at the ceremony, warning against complacency. "There are those who fear we may forget what world we live in, how hostile our environment is," he said.

"Israel of 2009 is no less impressive than Israel of 1949," Rivlin continued, adding that "it is more democratic, more open, and also more Jewish in its identity and culture."

The grouping of mournful Memorial Day with Independence Day celebrations is intentional, to show the link between the costly wars Israel has fought and the establishment and survival of the Jewish state.

The state was founded on May 14, 1948, when the British mandate over Palestine ended, setting off a bloody two-year war. The Arab state envisioned by the United Nations partition plan never materialized, as the West Bank was captured by Jordan.

Tuesday's ceremony also incorporated the theme of Tel Aviv's 100th anniversary.

Singing and acting performances on dozens of outdoor stages throughout the country were set to begin following the ceremony.

On Wednesday, Independence Day, the army will hold air and sea displays and Israel Defense Forces bases will open to the public. The National Bible Quiz and a ceremony for outstanding soldiers will be held in Jerusalem.

In addition, Israel imposed a full closure over the West Bank on Tuesday for Memorial Day and Independence Day until midnight of the following day. During that period, no Palestinians will be allowed into Israel except in cases of humanitarian emergency.

Related articles:
  • IN PICTURES / Israel celebrates 61st Independence Day
  • Independence Day / I am a Zionist and I am proud
  • Independence Day / Haaretz editorial from the day Israel was born
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      1.   "Parties and music as Israel turns 61" if only my relatives... 20:58  |  bat yam 28/04/09
      2.   Happy 61St ISRAEL! 21:45  |  xenophobia 28/04/09
      3.   Happy 61st Israel! 22:28  |  4:20 28/04/09
      4.   G-D`S PROMISE NEVER FAILED US ! Da`yee`noo ! 23:40  |  Akram Zekaria 28/04/09
      5.   Moshiach is comming soon. 23:54  |  Efroim 28/04/09
      6.   happy birthday israel!! 01:23  |  rico 29/04/09
      7.   happy birthday Israel 01:54  |  Jorge Benavides Sach 29/04/09
      8.   Happy Birthday Israel 02:00  |  Iranian 29/04/09
      9.   Independent 02:15  |  Joe Hill 29/04/09
      10.   Yuriy 06:17  |  And many moooore 29/04/09
      11.   Anniversary 07:28  |  Abu Saeed 29/04/09
      12.   Who celebrates the rape and plunder of a people? 07:36  |  Shlomo B. 29/04/09
      13.   proud 07:52  |  ben77 29/04/09
      14.   from Sultan gulf to ocean we freindship with you 09:14  |  Zaina Kayed Shehab 29/04/09
      15.   Happy 3000+ years Israel! 09:22  |  Baruch Gold 29/04/09
      16.   interesting thought 09:59  |  pete 29/04/09
      17.   Israel is awesome 10:03  |  JAG 29/04/09
      18.   Happy birthday Israel. G-d bless the Jews.G-d bless Israel! 10:15  |  Yaakov Sullivan 29/04/09
      19.   Obama 10:21  |  Joshua 29/04/09
      20.   phony greeting 10:46  |  turtle 29/04/09
      21.   phony greeting 10:49  |  turtle 29/04/09
      22.   Obama`s just kidding ..... 10:58  |  Terry 29/04/09
      23.   #5 Dear Iranian 11:24  |  Hastaroth 29/04/09
      24.   Obama congratulates Israel on turning 61 12:14  |  Liang Hwong 29/04/09
      25.   Israel turns 61 years old. 12:15  |  Maureen Ann 29/04/09
      26.   Thank you, Mr. Obama, for your congratulations. I only hope you.. 12:21  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 29/04/09
      27.   Obama congratulates while Arabs continue their hatred of Israel 13:34  |  Avi 29/04/09
      28.   Footnote to congratulations: Time to grow up! - long overdue! 13:57  |  Ivar 29/04/09
      29.   And I 14:04  |  Confused 29/04/09
      30.   Obama celebrates racism and apartheid 14:33  |  raymond deane 29/04/09
      31.   who knows? 14:58  |  o-brut 29/04/09
      32.   Thanks. Wouldn`t it be appropriate, Mr. Obama, to suggest to 15:13  |  Nadav 29/04/09
      33.   Nadav--wouldn,t it be nice if he asked Israel to 15:56  |  Labhras 29/04/09
      34.   Happy (Premature) 61st Birthday, Israel! 16:53  |  Jeff Northridge 29/04/09
      35.   maureen ann 17:52  |  Daniela 29/04/09
      36.   Unshakeable is questionable 17:52  |  Obama 29/04/09
      37.   US Sockpuppet Speaks 18:11  |  crlman 29/04/09
      38.   Sullivan`s inanity 18:26  |  yonatan 29/04/09
      39.   the year 5769 18:28  |  joan 29/04/09
      40.   No one should be congratulating the failed state of Israel 18:29  |  Dutch 29/04/09
      41.   raymond deane just scared of truth 18:35  |  yonatan 29/04/09
      42.   Dutch Fabricating Again 18:46  |  Brad 29/04/09
      43.   No31 To Dutch 19:06  |  Joshua 29/04/09
      44.   Thank you President Obama - USA friends and alies of Israel 19:18  |  John 29/04/09
      45.   to Dutch 19:25  |  Roman 29/04/09
      46.   Yom Huledet Sameach to Israel on her 61st 19:38  |  Hilfda 29/04/09
      47.   I tend to agree with those demanding that the Pals recognize 20:53  |  Peter 29/04/09
      48.   No thanks...for the wishes 21:26  |  Connie 29/04/09
      49.   Obama is as hypocritical as .. well, as a European leader! 22:26  |  Nemesis 29/04/09
      50.   peter in Germany 22:51  |  jennifer 29/04/09
      51.   # 43 Hilfda 23:02  |  The Teacher/instruct 29/04/09
      52.   the year 5769 23:34  |  joan 29/04/09
      53.   # 27 raymond deane 23:35  |  17 29/04/09
      54.   Raymond Deane 00:08  |  Henk R 30/04/09
      55.   Re: 37 00:12  |  Jewchai 30/04/09
      56.   # 12 baruch 00:28  |  Axel 30/04/09
      57.   #20 Dear Hastaroth,..If 00:38  |  Iranian 30/04/09
      58.   US should have given NJ to the Jews 01:14  |  American 30/04/09
      59.   #5 shlomo b 03:21  |  neil 30/04/09
      60.   CONGRATULATIONS ISRAEL achievements in every field of endevour 04:17  |  PETER SM 30/04/09
      61.   Belgian Joe Hill can`t read 09:04  |  x-ray 30/04/09
      62.   Happy Independence Day 15:25  |  Lynn 30/04/09
      63.   Iranian....I wish for you and your countrymen 15:31  |  Lynn 30/04/09
      64.   Joan cont.. part 2 23:47  |  The Teacher/Instruct 30/04/09
      65.   Iran increases warfare supply and training 23:51  |  Barry Patiks 30/04/09
      66.   #4 Akram Zekaria..Da` yee` noo ..Ani -Yo-deya,Da`yee`noo 02:31  |  Whiskey/Bravo 01/05/09
      67.   Dear,dear Iranian..Thank you so much,and may God 03:03  |  Jasmine 01/05/09
      68.   #39 joan..ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE TOP OF HAARETZ AND 03:07  |  Jasmine 01/05/09
      69.   #21 turtle..phony greeting?/ 03:10  |  Jasmine 01/05/09
      70.   "AMERICAN".Actually NJ has got lots of Arabs. 04:01  |  PETER SM 01/05/09
      71.   3 questions 12:20  |  Sarah Levine 01/05/09
      72.   To Sarah Levine@71 The Question of the monies: 14:39  |  Kathy 01/05/09
      73.   #50 Jennifer, look past your prejudices 05:10  |  The Prophet 02/05/09
      74.   Obama congratulates Israel 20:03  |  nada alami 02/05/09
      75.   two states? 15:13  |  Paul silverman 07/05/09
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