"Something
unique occurred yesterday in Israel,
and only future generations will be
able to evaluate the full historical
significance of the event. It is now
up to all of us, acting out of a sense
of Jewish fraternity, to devote every
ounce of our strength to building and
defending the State of Israel, which
still faces a titanic political and
military struggle.
Now is not the time for boasting. Whatever
we have achieved is the result of the
efforts of earlier generations no less
than our own. It is also the result
of unwavering fidelity to our precious
heritage, the heritage of a small nation
that has suffered much, but at the same
time has won for itself a special place
in the history of mankind because of
its spirit, faith and vision. .
At
this moment let us remember with love
and appreciation the three generations
of pioneers and defenders who paved
their way for later achievements, the
men who created Mikve Israel, Petach
Tikva, Rishon Lezion, Zichron Yaakov
and Rosh Pina, as well as those who
recently established settlements in
the Negev desert and the Galilee hills;
the founders of Hashomer and the Jewish
Legion, as well as the men who are now
locked in fierce battle from Dan to
Beer Sheva. Many of these about whom
I have spoken are no longer among the
living, but their memory remains forever
in our hearts and in the heart of the
Jewish people.
The
State of Israel was established yesterday
and its Provisional Government has already
turned to the nations of the world,
great and small, in the East and in
the West, announcing its existence and
its desire to cooperate with the United
Nations in the interests of international
peace and progress. We have received
unofficial reports that several countries
have recognized the State of Israel.
The first official recognition came
from the government of the United States
of America. We hope that other nations
in the East and in the West will soon
follow suit. We are in contact in this
matter with all members of the United
Nations and with the United Nations
itself. .
But
we should not deceive ourselves by thinking
that formal diplomatic recognition will
solve all our problems. We have a long
thorny path ahead of us...We must never
forget that our security ultimately
depends on our own might.
We must prepare to receive our brethren
from the far-flung corners of the Diaspora;
from the camps of Cyprus, Germany and
Austria, as well as from all the other
lands where the message of liberation
has arrived. We will receive them with
open arms and help them to strike roots
here in the soil of the Homeland.
The State of Israel calls on everyone
to faithfully fulfill his duties in
defense, construction and immigrant
absorption. Only in this way can we
prove ourselves worthy of the hour.
David
Ben-Gurion
Prime Minister : 1948- 53, 1955-63
Broadcast to the nation, May 15, 1948
Prime
Minister, David Ben Gurion's