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Israel begins 60th celebrations Israel marks its 60th anniversary
(about 1 hour later)
Israel has begun celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of its foundation, with its leaders saying they are willing to compromise for peace. Celebrations are under way across Israel to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish State.
A flag-raising ceremony and nationwide firework displays started 24 hours of celebrations continuing into Thursday. Israelis thronged Jerusalem's streets as fireworks opened the celebrations on Wednesday, while an aerial display is planned over Tel Aviv on Thursday.
Knesset speaker Dalia Itzik described Israel as "an unusual success story".
Israel declared itself an independent state on 14 May 1948, a day Palestinians remember as al-Nakba, or the Catastrophe.Israel declared itself an independent state on 14 May 1948, a day Palestinians remember as al-Nakba, or the Catastrophe.
Earlier, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke of his hopes for lasting peace, in a speech marking Remembrance Day, when Israelis honour soldiers killed since the state was founded. The anniversary is calculated according to the Jewish lunar calendar.
The celebrations began at sunset on Wednesday at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl memorial, named after the founder of modern Zionism, where soldiers raised the Israeli flag from half to full mast amid tight security.
It is peace, not war, that we aspire to and crave Ehud Olmert, Israeli PM Joy and sorrow in JerusalemIn pictures: Israel 60th celebrationsIn depth: Israel at 60
The speaker of parliament Dalia Itzik addressed the crowd and expressed her sympathy for the families of those who had died defending Israel since 1948.
"The state of Israel is an unusual success story, a wonder by any historical standard," she added. "There are flaws and we still have things to do, but behind these flaws is a great country."
Fireworks displays later lit up the sky across the country, where tens of thousands of people attended performances by local artists and musicians.
Uncertain future
The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Israel has changed dramatically since it was founded, with a population nearly ten times larger, and a stronger economy and military than its founders could have dreamt of.
However he says it is also a place riven by uncertainty - over its unresolved conflicts with neighbouring Arab countries and the Palestinians, and over the question of whether its own religious, political and ethnic mosaic still fits together.
Mr Olmert's own political future is uncertain
The State of Israel was proclaimed on 14 May 1948 - three years after WWII, and about six months after the United Nations General Assembly voted to partition what was then Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
In the war that followed, some 700,0000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of their homes.
Palestinians are due to mark the occasion, al-Nakba, on 15 May.
Hopes for peace
The 60 year's of Israel's existence have been marked by conflict, both with its Arab neighbours, and with Palestinians living under occupation.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke of his hopes for future peace, in a speech marking Remembrance Day, when Israelis honour soldiers killed since the state was founded.
"Our conflict has been long indeed," he said."Our conflict has been long indeed," he said.
"However, it is peace, not war that we aspire to and crave.""However, it is peace, not war that we aspire to and crave."
Israel's existence as a nation, he said, depended on its "willingness and ability" to defend itself, but there was also a "willingness to compromise".Israel's existence as a nation, he said, depended on its "willingness and ability" to defend itself, but there was also a "willingness to compromise".
'Great country' Correspondents point out however that Mr Olmert's political future is being called into question, since he became the centre of a police inquiry.
Huge celebrations are planned across Israel to mark Independence Day, which this year falls on Thursday according to the Jewish lunar calendar. The Israeli courts have imposed a gagging order on reporting the details of the inquiry.
We seek peace and we desire peace for your children as well, but beware - our children know very well the art of war if it is required Dalia ItzikKnesset Speaker Joy and sorrow in JerusalemIn pictures: Israel 60th celebrationsIn depth: Israel at 60
They began at sunset at the Mount Herzl memorial, named after the founder of modern Zionism, where soldiers raised the Israeli flag from half to full mast amid tight security.
Twelve adults, accompanied by 12 children representing the future generation of Israel, then lit twelve torches to honour the anniversary.
The speaker of parliament addressed the crowd and expressed her sympathy for the families of those who had died defending Israel since 1948.
"At this time only a few people are left to hug the gravestones at the military cemeteries. Millions of citizens owe them their endless gratitude. We will never be able to repay our debt to them," Ms Itzik said.
"The state of Israel is an unusual success story, a wonder by any historical standard," she added. "There are flaws and we still have things to do, but behind these flaws is a great country."
Israel stopped to remember its fallen soldiers and civilians on Wednesday
Ms Itzik also warned Palestinian militants and Israel's neighbours that although Israel wanted peace, it would not stand by if its citizens continued to be attacked.
"We seek peace and we desire peace for your children as well, but beware - our children know very well the art of war if it is required."
Firework displays later lit up the sky across the country, where tens of thousands of people are expected to attend performances by local artists and musicians.
Palestinians are due to mark the 60th anniversary of al-Nakba on 15 May.
The State of Israel was proclaimed on 14 May 1948, about six months after the United Nations General Assembly voted to partition what was then Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
Inter-communal fighting had preceded the declaration and after it, five Arab armies invaded.
By the time of an armistice in 1949, the Israelis had extended their territory, leaving Jordan with the West Bank, Egypt with Gaza and Jerusalem divided.
Some 700,0000 Palestinians had fled or been driven out of their homes in what became present-day Israel.