Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday congratulated Israel on its sixtieth anniversary of independence and said that the creation of the state was on the greatest achievements of the 20th century. Brown addressed a special event at a Finchley synagogue yesterday and acknowledged that Israel had faced immense threats since its establishment and hoped that the future would bring together the "children of Abraham" in order to live together in peace. Brown also added that his government is ready to support the peace process and would contribute aide towards Palestinian infrastructure development.
In related news, the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Israel on its independence and said that Israel's significance for Europeans went "beyond normal forms of cooperation with a close neighbour." Barroso added that, "In its 60 years as an independent state, Israel has had to contend with many challenges. Yet through it all it has continued to adapt, develop and prosper."
Thousands of Israelis were outdoors in the streets and parks yesterday celebrating the country's sixtieth year of independence. The usual celebrations of fireworks and barbeques took place, while the IDF organised a series of events across the country. These events included an air and naval show and several bases were open to the public exhibiting their arsenals.
In an unfortunate incident, eight people were injured yesterday when a paratrooper, part of the IDF air show, landed in a crowd of people on Tel Aviv beach front. Eyewitnesses said the paratrooper, an experienced reserve soldier, missed his landing spot on the sand due to strong winds and strayed into the crowd during the unsuccessful landing.