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Israel marks its 60th anniversary Israel marks its 60th anniversary
(30 minutes later)
Celebrations are under way across Israel to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish State.Celebrations are under way across Israel to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish State.
Israelis thronged Jerusalem's streets as fireworks opened the celebrations on Wednesday, while an aerial display is planned over Tel Aviv on Thursday.Israelis thronged Jerusalem's streets as fireworks opened the celebrations on Wednesday, while an aerial display is planned over Tel Aviv on Thursday.
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".
The anniversary is calculated according to the Jewish lunar calendar.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.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 60It 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 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.""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.Fireworks displays later lit up the sky across the country, where tens of thousands of people attended performances by local artists and musicians.
Uncertain futureUncertain 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.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.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 uncertainMr 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. The state of Israel was proclaimed on 14 May 1948 - three years after World War II, 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. In the war that followed, some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of their homes.
Palestinians are due to mark the occasion, al-Nakba, on 15 May.Palestinians are due to mark the occasion, al-Nakba, on 15 May.
Hopes for peaceHopes 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.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.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".
Correspondents point out however that Mr Olmert's political future is being called into question, since he became the centre of a police inquiry.Correspondents point out however that Mr Olmert's political future is being called into question, since he became the centre of a police inquiry.
The Israeli courts have imposed a gagging order on reporting the details of the inquiry.The Israeli courts have imposed a gagging order on reporting the details of the inquiry.