Honouring Heroes

Friday 2nd 2008f May 2008

THIS week, the Jewish world bode farewell to Yossi Harel. Hailed by Shimon Peres as "one of the giants who helped build the State of Israel" and by Ehud Olmert as "a man of history", Harelšs tale and that of the ship he sailed epitomised the courage and spirit that helped to create and define a new country 60 years ago.

Heroes and pioneers, who after centuries of persecution and with the stench of the Holocaust still hanging in the air, said 'no more'.

Heroes and pioneers, whose bravery and determination was the stuff of movies, starring the biggest stars of the day, Paul Newman and Kirk Douglas.

This week, we mourn and honour Harel. On Friday, Yom HaShoah, we mourn and honour the six million whose deaths necessitated the creation of a Jewish state. And next Wednesday, on Yom HaZikaron, we mourn and honour those heroes who fought and died to secure and ensure Israelšs survival.

A country borne out of the ashes of the Holocaust, a country forced to endure attack after attack from its neighbours and a country that still suffers daily at the hands of terrorists bent on its destruction.

But for all the hardships Israel faces, for all the lives that have been lost in its defence, the Jewish state has not just survived, it has also thrived.
There is much to celebrate. And next Thursday, on Yom Hašatzmaut, Jews the world over will be doing just that, marking 60 years since David Ben-Gurion announced the establishment of the state.

In a very special bumper issue of the Jewish News, we will be joining in those celebrations. Commemorating Israelšs sixtieth anniversary, next weekšs newspaper includes exclusive articles written by, amongst others Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ron Prosor and Sir Jonathan Sacks.

We'll also be hearing from Israelšs President, Shimon Peres, as well as a number of experts and academics, who will be analysing Israel's incredible journey over the past six decades and sharing their visions of where the country will be in six decades time. And that's just a fraction of what wešre offering. A unique issue of the Jewish News marking a unique occasion. Be sure not to miss out on your copy.

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