Israel's Fifty-fifth Anniversary

Israel turned 55 this week! There were ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country on Tuesday evening, the eve of Yom Ha-atsma'ut. The two principal events took place in Israel's capital, Jerusalem (where Josa and I are blessed to live). On Wednesday, about half of Israel's population headed for the country's parks, nature reserves and forests. It is an Israeli tradition to picnic on Independence Day, and by the afternoon, the aroma of grilled meat hung heavy in the air.

When Israel declared its Independence, on May 15, 1948, its population stood at 806,000. According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, on the eve of Independence Day 2003 (6May03), Israel's population was 6.7 million. The Jewish population comprises eight-two percent of these millions. Today, thirty-eight percent of the world's Jews reside in Israel. Of the non-Jewish population of approximately 1.3 million, eighty-two percent are Muslims, nine percent are Druze, and nine percent are Christians. Since last year's Independence Day, the population of the state has increased by 131,000, an annual growth rate of two percent. (During the past year, 140,000 Israeli babies were born, and 31,000 new immigrants arrived in Israel.)

It is hard for me to believe that I have lived in Israel since two months after her 15th Independence Day. Wow, how time flies! I thank the Lord for the privilege he has given me.