Israel Independence FDC

Israel FDC
Name: 60 Years of Independence
Date of Issue: 28 April 2008

Design:
The stamp design is based on the official symbol of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, which was created for the office of the Prime Minister's Anniversary Planning Committee, headed by Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila. The symbol was designed by the advertising division of the "Arad Communications" firm and the logo was designed by the firm's Remo Sintes.

The State of Israel was founded in 1948 and immediately forced to confront its neighbors in a war over its very existence. The hasty departure of the British Mandatory Government left most of the official institutions in a state of utter chaos. Israel’s foreign relations were severed, the country was in the throes of an economic crisis and it suffered severe shortages of the most basic staples. Under these difficult conditions, the Israeli population, numbering some 600,000, also had to deal with the absorption of throngs of penniless new arrivals, European Holocaust refugees, British detention camp prisoners and immigrants from countries to the East.

Despite these impossible initial conditions, the State of Israel succeeded not only to survive and subsist, but it developed as well, attaining a long series of impressive world-class achievements in a wide range of fields. As space will not allow a complete list, suffice it to name but a few.

Israeli agriculture is very advanced and has made multiple achievements. Israel developed the drip irrigation method, which enables increased crop quantities while significantly saving on water consumption. Through meticulous fostering of cattle herds and the development of innovative milking methods, Israel has achieved world record average milk yields per cow. Unique, locally developed varieties of hothouse flowers have made Israel the third largest flower exporter in the world.

Israel's hi-tech industry is world renowned. Israeli companies have developed unique products, such as Firewall and ICQ, and revolutionized the field. International computer companies in both the hardware and software realms have established global industry-leading research and development centers in Israel. Israel is among the top three countries in the world in registration of technological patents.

Israel has developed a series of innovative, unique solutions for creating solar energy. Israeli pharmaceutical companies have developed innovative drugs, based on discoveries and breakthroughs made by researchers at Israeli universities. Israeli scientists are credited with many achievements in various scientific fields and they have led Israeli research institutes, such as the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and the Weizmann Institute of Science, to the global forefront.

Israel's defense industry is among the most progressive in the world. In the space field, Israel belongs to a small, prestigious group of countries which are capable of producing satellites as well as the launching means required to situate them in space; The "Hetz" (arrow) interceptor missile system, which defends against ballistic missiles, constitutes a technological breakthrough and Israel is among the world leaders in the development of unmanned aircraft.

Throughout the years of its existence, Israel has absorbed more than two million new immigrants, providing them with housing, education, employment and the chance for a better future. From a faltering country on the brink of destruction, Israel has become a progressive country with a stable economy and which is able to provide aid to other countries in a variety of fields. Despite security difficulties and the state of emergency the country has found itself in ever since it was established, Israel has a multi-party democratic regime, with few like it in the world.

Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations provide a good opportunity to appreciate the country's many achievements and to feel a sense of pride for our part in that unique creation which is "The State of Israel".

Comment: 1. Israel Post made a big mistake on this FDC, the regular airmail postage from Israel to China is 5.25 Israeli New Sheqel, but the total postage of this FDC has only 4.50 Israeli New Sheqel, this is not the only mistake from Israel on this issue day, I will update the other wrong postage FDC from Israel next time. 2. This FDC was sent by regular mail, so the Israel Post added a machine postmark on this FDC, interesting!