As the world looks to New York to see whether the Palestinians will apply for unilateral statehood, human rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Centre have a message to share.
Arthur Balfour was best known for his 'Balfour Declaration' of 1917, a publication which supported the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This was published during his time as Foreign Secretary, during the First World War.
The publication made him hugely popular with Jews all around the world, with the JC at the time calling the declaration a "Jewish triumph".
The chair of an organisation dedicated to supporting the families of Israel's war casualties has expressed concern about a proposal by a US rabbinical college to "broaden" commemorative ceremonies.
Perhaps the most famous ship in Israel's history, the Exodus was by no means the only refugee ship that attempted to take European Jews to Palestine, but it was perhaps the most iconic.
The ship, part of the Aliyah Bet operation, departed from France, with more than 4,500 passengers. The majority of them were Holocaust survivors and among them were 655 children.
The legend who made his name as one of Israel's most celebrated fighting men and went on to become president of Israel was born in Tel Aviv. Unpredictable, quixotic and cantankerous were just some of the words the press used to describe him over the years. However, he was well-known for playing the roles of military hero and an architect of peace.
"It was a tremendous day" - Arieh Handler, the founder of Bnei Akiva, recalls his experience as a witness to the signing of the declaration of independence in May 1948.
To share your memories of Arieh Handler, email jenniferlipman@thejc.com
Two days after David Ben Gurion declared Israel's independence and the surrounding Arab armies attacked, the fledgling state voted in its first president. He would not be officially sworn in until the following February
Silvio Berlusconi has promised that Italy will not recognise a Palestinian state if one is declared without agreement with Israel.
The Italian Prime Minister, speaking during a Yom Ha'atzmaut event in Rome, was quoted pledging that Italy would "absolutely not" accept a unilateral declaration.
Showing off her new necklace, Nofar Valal explained why the gift from her British host family meant so much. "You see these two hearts? One is for the diaspora, one is for Israel. Together we are one big family."
The Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign protested outside the Dublin hotel where the Israel Embassy hosted an Independence Day party for diplomats, Irish government officials and Jewish community members on Tuesday. The demonstration passed off peacefully and there were no arrests.
Camden's Electric Ballroom was turned blue and white on Monday evening as more than 600 students and young professionals came out to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut with Young JNF and Israel Connect.
The atmosphere was as sparkling as the glowsticks and glitter tattoos liberally distributed by the organisers.
Glasgow's celebration was kicked off by a blast from the shofar from Rabbi Danny Bergson, whose musical skills saved the day last year when the volcanic ash cloud prevented the scheduled Israeli performers from travelling.
Young and old joined forces at Jewish Care's Redbridge Jewish Youth and Community Centre as a 250-plus crowd celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut.
Drawing on more than 30 years' experience of Independence Day events, Nettie Keene observed: "Every year these celebrations get more enjoyable. There is a great community spirit and solidarity. It's a fantastic and fun night to be a part of."
"I would like to wish Israel another 63 years of great joy, peace and a thriving economy.
"I've had the pleasure of being there many times and have seen it from a bodybuilding point of view, from a tourist's point of view, from an entertainer's point of view, from the governor's point of view. I'm looking forwards to going there many more times."
Almost a year after David Ben Gurion declared independence for the Jewish state; Israel was welcomed into the global club.
With something of a fraught relationship between the two since, it was nonetheless a positive step. Twelve countries voyted against welcoming the 59th members, including Afghanistan, India and Iraq, while nine, among them Britain, Denmark and Greece, abstained.
