Main content

State of Israel

On 14 May 1948, 200 dignitaries gathered to witness the establishment of the state of Israel. Zionist leader Arieh Handler was among them.

On 14 May 1948, the state of Israel was proclaimed. Tears and applause met the declaration, witnessed by 200 dignitaries, but fighting intensified in the days that followed.

Arieh Handler and Zipporah Porath speak to Lucy Williamson.

(Photo: Young Jewish people celebrate the new state of Israel. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Available now

10 minutes

Last on

Fri 14 May 201010:50GMT
BBC World Service Online

More episodes

Previous

Andijan Massacre

Next

Cultural Revolution

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Fri 14 May 201004:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Fri 14 May 201007:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Fri 14 May 201010:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online

Featured in...

Podcast