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Israel marks its 60th anniversary Israel marks its 60th anniversary
(about 6 hours later)
Celebrations are taking place across Israel to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state.Celebrations are taking place across Israel to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state.
Fireworks, concerts and an aerial display were among the events laid on, while Israeli families prepared picnics and barbecues for the national holiday. Fireworks, concerts and an aerial display were among the events laid on, while Israeli families enjoyed picnics and barbecues for the national holiday.
Israel declared itself an independent state on 14 May 1948, three years after the end of World War II and the death of six million Jews in the Holocaust. Israel declared itself an independent state on 14 May 1948, three years after the end of World War II, and the death of six million Jews in the Holocaust.
But Palestinians know the foundation day as al-Nakba, or "the Catastrophe".But Palestinians know the foundation day as al-Nakba, or "the Catastrophe".
They were holding solemn marches in the West Bank, meant to symbolise the hope of Palestinian refugees to return to villages in what is now Israel.
The Israeli festivities began amid tight security at sunset on Wednesday at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl memorial, named after the founder of modern Zionism.
Soldiers raised the Israeli flag from half to full mast as Memorial Day - when Israelis honour soldiers killed since the state was founded - gave way to anniversary celebrations.
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. They were holding solemn marches in the West Bank, meant to symbolise the hope of Palestinian refugees to return to villages in what is now Israel.
"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." Security forces were on high alert because of fears that Palestinian militants might use the celebrations to launch an attack.
Fireworks displays later lit up the sky across the country, where tens of thousands of people attended performances by local artists and musicians. Large crowds gathered at military air shows, and military bases opened their doors to the public to show off some of their arsenal.
On Thursday, the anniversary celebrations continued with beach parties and sports tournaments.
Uncertain futureUncertain future
The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Israel has changed dramatically since it was founded, with a population nearly 10 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 10 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.
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Israeli 60th anniversary celebrations Israelis were entertained by parachute jumps
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. The state of Israel was proclaimed 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 700,000 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.
The anniversary is calculated according to the Jewish lunar calendar.The anniversary is calculated according to the Jewish lunar calendar.
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. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYPresent day conflict is a continuation of a 60 year old controversyAsif, Pakistan class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4749">Send us your comments The 60 years of Israel's existence have been marked by conflict, both with its Arab neighbours, and with Palestinians living under occupation.
HAVE YOUR SAYPresent day conflict is a continuation of a 60 year old controversyAsif, PakistanSend us your comments
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".
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.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.
US President George W Bush is due to attend a conference marking the anniversary in Jerusalem next week.US President George W Bush is due to attend a conference marking the anniversary in Jerusalem next week.
The US president is pushing for a Middle East peace settlement before he leaves office in January, but there has been little visible progress in talks between Israelis and Palestinians.The US president is pushing for a Middle East peace settlement before he leaves office in January, but there has been little visible progress in talks between Israelis and Palestinians.