ZAGREB MARKS DAY OF INDEPENDENCE OF ISRAEL

ZAGREB, April 25 (Hina) - The day of independence of the State of Israel is one of modern holidays in the Jewish calendar, on which Jews celebrate the establishment of the present-day Israel. The holiday has been marked every year since 1948 when the modern Israeli State was proclaimed under the 1948 May 14 decision of the United Nations. The Croatian-Israeli Society (HID) contributed to the celebration of this day by a ceremony held on Saturday in Zagreb. The establishment of the State bears witness to the vitality of the Jewish people even after its incomparable bloodshed in the Holocaust, the HID president Mihael Montiljo said at last night's ceremony. The confirmation of the vitality is the strength which Jews gathered to defend its newly-established state, although they were faced with the threat to be thrown into the sea, Montiljo added. Many counties have received international assistance for their reconstruction and development, but Israel is the country which has used the help in the best way. Israel is today an unavoidable military factor in the Middle East and a country whose scientific achievements are at a world high level. The country is trying to raise its current per capita Gross Domestic Product (GNP) of 17,000 dollars to a level of the highly developed countries, Montiljo said adding that Israel has still the numerous Diaspora. Last night the choir "Lira" performed Hebrew compositions and Sephardic romances. In addition, an exhibition of paintings and other works by the artist, Julijana Filipovic-Judita, opened in the HID gallery "Shalom" as part of events to mark the Day of Independence of Israel. (hina) ms