Israel Independence Day: Jewish State Marks Its 63rd Birthday

By Haaretz Service May 10, 2011

President Shimon Peres congratulated Israel on its 63rd birthday during Tuesday’s Independence Day celebration at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, stressing that Israel has come a long way since its establishment.

“We proved we can create a budding garden out of obstinate ground,” Peres said during a ceremony with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.

Peres also commented on the current turmoil in the Middle East, saying, “I am sure the entire region will learn that terror has no future, tyranny has no point and that there is a true need for freedom and respect for all men.”

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO