David Ben Gurion read the proclamation of statehood for the State of Israel. The event crowned the efforts of a group of dedicated people who had been working for the revival of the ancient Jewish State for many years. and ended a 2.000 year hiatus during which time there was no state or homeland for the Jews. The birth of the new state was the fulfillment of prophecy. the realization of a dream. the fruit of toil and labor. the reward of persistence. and a hope for the future for the thousands then waiting in the ghettos and refugee camps of the Middle East and Europe. Independence for Israel did not mean security or freedom. Hostile neighbors used the occasion of the proclamation of statehood as their declaration of war.