An RAF Hercules takes part in an air show that was part of Israel’s independence celebrations last week. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters
Simon Tisdall, The Guardian: Israel celebrates but is war with Iran looming?
Israelis enjoyed a lavish party last week to mark the nation’s seven eventful decades, but the threat to its existence could hardly have been greater.
There were fireworks, concerts, torch processions and parties throughout the country. In Jerusalem the night sky was illuminated by 300 drones that coalesced to form images of favourite Israeli symbols, such as the national flag and a dove with an olive branch in its mouth. The celebrations included a live, televised retelling of Jewish history dating to biblical times. In one scene children with yellow stars pinned to their clothes fled marching Nazi soldiers. Another showed pioneers building the fledgling Jewish state.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, helped lead the national extravaganza, despite objections that his presence contradicted the event’s traditional, non-political character. This moment – the 70th anniversary last Wednesday of Israel’s independence, according to the Hebrew calendar – marked the country’s emergence as a rising world power, he declared.
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WNU Editor: I can easily see a war between Israel And Iran's proxies (Hezbollah, Syria, Hamas, etc.) .... but not a direct conflict.
