The Declaration of Independence of 'Medinat Yisrael' signed by David Ben Gurion and the Provisional Government

(May 16) -- The creation of "Medinat Yisrael", the State of Israel, was proclaimed at midnight on Friday by Mr. David Ben Gurion, until then Chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive and now head of the State's Provisional Council of Government.

The first act of the Council of Government, as announced by its head, was to abolish all legislation of the 1939 White Paper of the late Mandatory Power, particularly the Ordinances and Orders relating to immigration and land transfer.

Mr. Ben Gurion prefaced the declaration with a review of the historic connection of the Jewish people with the land of Israel and of their efforts to return, which never ceased throughout the generations of their dispersal, until the Nazi holocaust proved anew the urgency of the need for a Jewish State.

The Balfour Declaration of 1917, confirmed by the League of Nations, had given explicit international recognition to the right of the Jewish people to reconstitute its National Home in Palestine, he said.

"On November 29, 1947, " continued the declaration, "the United Nations decided on the establishment of a Jewish State and an Arab State in Palestine and called upon the inhabitants of the country to take all steps necessary for the establishment of two States.

Historic Rights
"This decision cannot now be changed. Accordingly, we, the members of the Provisional Government Council, members as we are of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, and representatives of the entire Jewish Community in Palestine, are meeting on this historic day when the British Mandate comes to its end.

"Pursuant to the decision of the U.N. and based on our historic and national rights, we hereby declare the establishment of the Jewish State which will be called "Medinat Yisrael" (State of Israel)."

Long Live the Jewish State
"This State will be provisionally governed by this Council acting as a Provisional Government Council and taking over its duties at midnight, on May 15 with the end of the Mandate."

"This Provisional Government Council will function until due governmental bodies have been constituted by a newly elected Constituent Assembly, which shall meet not later than October 1, 1948."

"The Provisional Government Council will be the Provisional Government of the State of Israel until the elected Constituent Assembly meets."

The Gates are Open
"The State of Israel will open its gates to immigration of Jews from all lands. It will strive to develop the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants, in accordance with the social ideals of our Prophets."

"We declare that full civil and political liberty will be enjoyed by all citizens, regardless of religion, race, or sex. There will be full freedom of religion, culture and language."

"We declare that we shall safeguard the Holy Places of all religions within the area of the State of Israel."

"We declare our readiness to cooperate closely with all relevant bodies of the U.N. in accordance with the resolution of November 29, 1947."

"We declare our readiness to work for the economic union of Palestine as a whole."

"We call upon the U.N. to give its blessing to the establishment of the Jewish State, to help us in our efforts and to accept the Jewish State into the family of nations."

"Even at this hour of bloodshed, we call upon the Arabs of Palestine to restore peace in this country. We call upon the Arab citizens to return to their homes. We assure them full civil rights on the basis of full representation in all governmental organs of the State. We are extending the hand of friendship to the neighbouring Arab states in order to initiate mutual cooperation. We are ready to contribute our share to the revival of the Middle East."

"We call upon the Jewish people in all lands of its dispersion to stand fast and lend us every support in our struggle for the establishment of the State of Israel."

Mr. Ben Gurion then announced that those members of the Provisional Council who were in Jerusalem and unable to reach Tel Aviv in time for the meeting, had met in Jerusalem on Friday morning and had notified their colleagues in Tel Aviv that they joined in the declaration.

"In virtue of this authority," Mr. Ben Gurion then said, "the Provisional Council of Government is established."

Two Points
He made these two points:

(1) "It is the highest legislative organ of Medinat Yisrael with the right to enact laws until the Elected Assembly is constituted. The Provisional Cabinet (of 13 members) will take over its duties from tomorrow."

(2) "All legislation resulting from the British Government's White Paper of May, 1939, will at midnight tonight become null and void. This includes the immigration provisions as well as the land transfer regulations of February, 1940."

"Legislation concerning security and emergency legislation will be published and enacted in due course."

Earlier on Friday, the Jewish Agency issued a statement in which it said that despite the friction between the Mandatory and the Yishuv brought about by the British White Paper nine years ago, Jewry appreciated Britain's assistance in settling Jews from all over the world in Palestine and helping to establish the National Home.