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Proclamation by Head of Government
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| 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.
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