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The State of Israel received many Independence Day greetings on Thursday from well-wishers around the world who rose to be counted on her 73rd anniversary of rebirth as a Jewish State.

Leaders from around the world sent messages of congratulation to President Reuven Rivlin on Israel’s 73rd Independence Day.

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Among those sending greetings were His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phravajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand and King Tupou VI of Tonga, His Holiness Pope Francis I and the presidents of the United States, Russia, Germany, India, South Korea and Italy.

President Joe Biden of the United States of America wished the president “a wonderful day of celebration,” noting that the two countries are “long-standing partners with share democratic values.” President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said “friendly Russian-Israeli relations continue to develop constructively in all spheres – for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of strengthening peace, security and stability in the Middle East.”

President Ram Nath Kovind sent “greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency, the Government and the friendly people of Israel on the occasion of your Independence Day,” while President Moon Jae-in of South Korea wished “good health and continued success and the everlasting prosperity of the State of Israel.”

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany asked “to take this opportunity to congratulate your country on its outstanding vaccination program. I hope that, thanks to it, you and the people of Israel can soon return to your familiar routines.” President Emmanuel Macron of France wrote, “Israel can be sure that it will always find France at its side, based on the friendship to which you have personally contributed so much.”

President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella said “In the first months of 2021, Israel exhibited an extraordinary ability to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, and thus strengthened our common hope in dealing with the outbreak and returning peace to our communities,” and President Guy Parmelin of the Swiss Federation extended “warmest congratulations on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Israel.”

King Felipe VI of Spain expressed his wishes for “the peace and the prosperity of the dear people of the State of Israel,” and King Willem-Alexander of Kingdom of the Netherlands wished “the people of Israel strength, courage and health as together we continue our efforts to overcome coronavirus.”

King Tupou VI of Tonga extended “congratulations and sincere wishes for the good health and prosperity of the people of the State of Israel.”

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phravajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand conveyed sincere congratulations and best wishes for, “good health and happiness as well as the success and prosperity of the State of Israel and her people,” President Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria wrote of the “trustful bond that now links the State of Israel and Austria,” and President Andrzej Duda of Poland spoke of the “ages-long ties binding the Polish and Jewish people.”

President of Nigeria Mohamaddu Buhari wrote, “73 years on, Israel has excelled in virtually all fields of human endeavor,” and President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa spoke of the “abiding friendship, mutual understanding and fruitful cooperation that exist between our two countries.”

The president has received letters from heads of state, ambassadors, heads of Jewish communities and Jewish organizations from around the world, including Australia, Austria, Estonia, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Malta, Myanmar, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Vietnam, and the United States of America.

Twitter was likewise filled with warm wishes to the people of Israel, marking the country’s 73rd Yom Ha’Atzma’ut (Independence Day).

On behalf of himself and President Joe Biden US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wished “warmest wishes to the people of Israel,” and reiterated that America’s commitment to Israel’s security is “ironclad.”

In the State of New York, the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo bridge was lit up in blue and white to mark Israel’s Independence Day, and so were other important landmarks.

The State of New Jersey also sent special greetings.

In the State of Florida, Bal Harbor Mayor Gabriel Groisman wrote, “Chag Atzmaut Sameach!”

Former Trump Administration peace envoy Jason D. Greenblatt also wished Israel a “Happy 73rd Independence Day,” adding “May God keep all of Israel safe, especially the IDF who tirelessly defend the Jewish State of Israel. . . Am Yisrael Chai!”

Colorado Governor Jared Polis tweeted his greetings and those of his state, with a copy of his proclamation making April 14th and April 15th, 2021, “Israeli Independence Day.”

Israel’s new Middle East peace partner in the Abraham Accords, the United Arab Emirates, also wished the Jewish State a “Yom ha’atzma’ut sameach!” from its new Embassy in Israel.

In addition to the official greetings, private Emirati citizens also wished Israel a Happy Independence Day.

From the office of India’s Prime Minister, “lots of love” was tweeted, along with “Long live Israel.”

An attorney in India also sent his best.

Marijana Petir, a member of the Croatian Parliament and the Interparliamentary Friendship Group Croatia-Israel wished Israel a “prosperous future.”

And the Croatian city of Zagreb projected the flag of Israel on a wall of water in its central fountain.

The Consul of Zimbabwe also sent greetings to his “beloved Israel.”

Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also tweeted “best wishes and congratulations” for the occasion.

There was even a greeting from a citizen of Kurdistan.

And Kyiv, Ukraine illuminated its city hall with blue and white, “in recognition of the strong ties connecting Israel to Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.”

The American Jewish Committee tweeted a “happy birthday” as well.

The World Jewish Congress also sent its congratulations.

The greetings were, in fact, endless. Ontario Minister of Transportation and Francophone Affairs Caroline Mulroney also sent her greetings. “We are proud to have such a strong Jewish community – one that contributes greatly to our province,” she wrote.

The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto and Western Canada tweeted that the flag of Israel was raised “at Memorial Park outside of the MB Legislature” to mark Israel’s Independence Day and “relations between Manitoba and Israel.”

The mammoth Google internet giant marked the day with a special “Google Doodle.”

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Hana Levi Julian
Hana Levi Julian is a Middle East news analyst with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. A past columnist with The Jewish Press and senior editor at Arutz 7, Ms. Julian has written for Babble.com, Chabad.org and other media outlets, in addition to her years working in broadcast journalism.