The Israeli press office issued credentials to 400 journalists for stories in advance of the anniversary, and expects 350 of them to be here during the event. American and European media are treating the anniversary like a news event of extraordinary proportions. The irony is that Israel's 'Fiftieth' may be celebrated more by outsiders. The reflection is of a country mired in a tense deadlock with Arabs, beset with internal squabbling, soured over its institutions, and coping with a slowing economy.

Israel's Jubilee Anniversary is prompting a heavy dose of introspection, and there is little sense Israelis are happy at what they see. 'Now, we are facing the limits of our power.' People are proud of what we have achieved, but they are worried about the future,' he said. Perhaps that early anniversary was gilded by an exuberance of youth both his and the country's mused Dromi, who grew up to fly air force planes in combat, eventually became the chief government spokesman and now is a radio commentator and works at promoting democracy. As they turn it over and over, they feel a mix of pride, nostalgia and some discouragement. The anniversary of the declaration of the Jewish state in 1948 is a coin in Israeli hands with two sides, past and present. It was something that we, and especially our parents, had to remind themselves was really happening.' 'We were pushing each other to see the soldiers on parade' 40 years ago, Dromi said. It was a sweltering day, and the crowd was thick and airless.īut he was caught up in the excitement, he said there was a different feeling then than the one settling on Israel tonight as it begins the celebration of its 50th anniversary on Thursday with two days of ceremonies and fireworks. JERUSALEM, April 29 When he was 12, Uri Dromi remembers shoving into a crowd in Haifa, and standing four hours to see the parade for Israel's 10th anniversary. Vice President Gore and Israeli President Binyamin Netanyahu pass in front of American and Israeli flags in Jerusalem today. Israel Marks Its 50th With Mixed Feelings I SRAELI J UBILEE : A Time for Introspection

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