CREATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL. The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel app...

CREATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL. The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel appearing in Iton Rishmi [Official Gazette] of the Israeli government, issue no 1, May 14, 1948. Tel Aviv: Provisional Government of Israel, 1948. 4to (330 x 210 mm). Bifolium, 3 pp, plus printer's statement, clean, light creases from old fold. THE RARE FIRST OFFICIAL PRINTING OF THE 'DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE' OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL. At midnight on May 15 (6 pm May 14th in Washington) the British mandate of Palestine officially ended, and David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. Eleven minutes later, U.S. President Harry Truman officially recognized the independent State of Israel. Under the leadership of Ben-Gurion, the Zionist General Council established a National Administration and National Council which would become the provisional government of the newly created Jewish State as soon as the mandate ended at midnight on May 14. The committee appointed to craft a Declaration of Independence submitted its draft consisting of 22 articles on May 13 a draft. Ben-Gurion, Moses Sharett, Rabbi Fishman (Maimon) and Aharon Zisling pared down the document and decided the final wording. After much debate on the 14th, the council approved the final wording (the term 'Rock of Israel' referring to God was allowed to be interpreted by opposing factions in different ways). Meeting at 4:30 pm, the Council came together in the Tel Aviv Museum Hall with other major Jewish and Zionist organizations, and Ben Gurion announced, 'I shall read you the Foundation Scroll of the State of Israel, which has been approved in first reading by the National Council.' When he finished the document was signed by the relevant members, and amid thunderous applause, Ben Gurion declared, 'The State of Israel has arisen. This session is closed.' That same day the first issue of Iton Rishmi [Official Gazette], was published containing the first printed appearance of the of full text of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, with the names of all the signatories printed on p 2. An historic document of an historic moment. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing