Declaration of Independence

Interview

New podcast explores legacy of 37 signatories of Israel’s Declaration of Independence

According to Israel Story founder Mishy Harman, series ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered?’ is a deep dive into the way the founders of the state envisioned Israel and how Israel has fared

June 25, 2023, 2:45 am

New podcast explores legacy of 37 signatories of Israel’s Declaration of Independence

According to Israel Story founder Mishy Harman, series ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered?’ is a deep dive into the way the founders of the state envisioned Israel and how Israel has fared

By Deborah Danan

Then-prime minister Menachem Begin during a debate in the Knesset on March 20, 1979. (AP Photo/Max Nash/File)

May 16, 2023, 8:08 pm

Menachem Begin championed judicial review now under Likud attack, former aide says

Arye Naor says former Likud leader planted concepts now being undone by government in his attorney general Aharon Barak, who was also given larger role to scrutinize decisions

By Jeremy Sharon

The signers of Israel's Declaration of Independence, at a ceremony at the Tel Aviv Art Museum, May 14, 1948. First prime minister of Israel David Ben Gurion stands up to speak during a session of the new Israeli government. (AP Photo)

April 26, 2023, 9:00 am

Daily Briefing Apr. 26: What would Israel’s founding parents think about it at 75?

Israel Story creator Mishy Harman and producer Mitch Ginsburg track down descendants of Declaration of Independence signatories in a new series, ‘Signed, Sealed and Delivered?’

By ToI Staff

Illustrative: Israeli families celebrate Israel's Independence Day at the JCC in Palo Alto, California on May 9, 2019. (Saul Bromberger/Courtesy JCC Palo Alto)

April 21, 2023, 5:52 am

Amid overhaul debate, US Jews’ plans for Israel’s 75th birthday get complicated

Communities ponder whether they can – or should – put aside the political controversy rocking the Jewish state as they celebrate its independence this year

By Andrew Lapin

Author Daniel Gordis and his newest book, 'Impossible Takes Longer.' (Yoram Reshef Studios; Courtesy)

April 11, 2023, 4:02 am

As the State of Israel turns 75, author Daniel Gordis asks: Is it a success story?

In a new book, ‘Impossible Takes Longer,’ the thinker explores the parameters he believes the Jewish state should be judged by — and where it has triumphed and where it has failed

By Amy Spiro

Opposition leader Yair Lapid speaks at a rally against the judicial overhaul in Herzliya, on March 4, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

March 11, 2023, 9:39 am

Lapid proposes constitution for Israel to extract itself from ‘terrible crisis’

Opposition chief calls to codify start of Declaration of Independence, limit judicial activism but maintain strong court, examine how many Haredi men can stay in full-time study

By ToI Staff

The Israeli civilian nuclear reactor at Nahal Sorek. (Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)

March 9, 2023, 7:34 pm

80 ex-nuclear workers demand government halt ‘crazy legislative blitz’

Designed to resemble Israel’s Declaration of Independence, petition warns judicial revamp poses ‘real danger’ to country, says leaders should seek broad consensus for changes

By Ash Obel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with Justice Minister Yariv Levin, as other coalition members look on, after a vote on the government's judicial overhaul plans in the Knesset early on February 21, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

February 21, 2023, 2:12 pm

Netanyahu’s judicial ‘reform’ threatens to bulldoze the Declaration of Independence

Having easily secured initial approval for a central element of its move to neuter the High Court, the coalition is now on a collision course with Israel’s foundational principles

By David Horovitz

Demonstrators carry a massive Declaration of Independence during a rally in Tel Aviv to protest the Israeli government's planned overhaul of the judicial system, on February 18, 2023. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

February 19, 2023, 1:45 am

With first Knesset readings due Monday, tens of thousands protest judicial overhaul

Levin says legislative push will move forward as demonstrators gather across country for 7th straight week; at J’lem rally, right-wingers urge gov’t to adopt Herzog’s compromise

By Ash Obel and ToI Staff

David Ben Gurion signs Israel's Declaration of Independence on November 29, 1947. (Hans Pinn/GPO)

June 20, 2021, 1:31 am

Did Ben-Gurion use this pen to sign Declaration of Independence?

Descendant of a signatory to the historical document is attempting to sell the item for $500,000, but his claims are contested by experts

By ToI Staff

One of the 12 draft pages of Israel's Declaration of Independence that the High Court of Justice has ruled must be handed over to the state archives (Courtesy of Kedem Auction House)

May 21, 2019, 4:31 pm

Supreme Court rules drafts of Declaration of Independence can’t go under hammer

Overturning lower court decision, justices say family of attorney who composed documents does not own them; papers to be handed over to state archives

By ToI Staff

Moshe Ya'alon and others speak at a Blue and White event in the village of Tamra in the Galilee on April 3, 2019. (Courtesy of Inbar Bezek)

April 4, 2019, 10:04 am

Invasive security checks mar Blue and White’s 1st outreach event to Arab voters

Locals complain about stringent Shin Bet inspections at campaign gathering in Tamra; Ya’alon, the main speaker, apologizes; this reporter questioned about his religion

By Adam Rasgon

Labor chair Avi Gabbay, right, and Hatnua chair MK Tzipi Livni attend a Zionist Union faction meeting at the Knesset on July 24, 2017. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

August 4, 2018, 8:28 pm

Opposition vows to enshrine Declaration of Independence as Israeli Basic Law

Amid growing backlash over nation-state law, Avi Gabbay and Tzipi Livni slam Netanyahu for excluding from it a specific provision of equal rights for minorities

By ToI Staff

David Ben-Gurion, flanked by the members of his provisional government, reads the Declaration of Independence in the Tel Aviv Museum Hall on May 14, 1948. (GPO)

August 4, 2018, 8:23 pm

Israel’s Declaration of Independence — May 14, 1948

Founding text says Israel will be open for Jewish immigration; will be based on freedom, justice, peace; will ensure equality of social and political rights to all inhabitants

July 23, 2018, 1:28 pm

Yedidia Stern

Hmm, which is the country of the Jewish people?

Israel is now the only democratic nation-state in the world that doesn’t guarantee equality for all its citizens