This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7389140.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 8 | Version 9 |
---|---|
Israel marks its 60th anniversary | Israel marks its 60th anniversary |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Celebrations have taken 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 enjoyed 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 held solemn marches in the West Bank, meant to symbolise the hope of Palestinian refugees to return to villages in what is now Israel. | |
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 | 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 |
At one march, attended by thousands of Arab Israelis from northern Israel, hundreds of protesters clashed with police, and several people were injured, police said. | |
Israeli celebrations meanwhile drew large crowds to military air shows, while military bases opened their doors to the public to show off some of their arsenal. | |
Uncertain future | Uncertain 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. |
Advertisement | Advertisement |
Israelis were entertained by parachute jumps | Israelis were entertained by parachute jumps |
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. | 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 peace | Hopes for peace |
The 60 years of Israel's existence have been marked by conflict, both with its Arab neighbours, and with Palestinians living under occupation. | 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 | 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. |