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Declaration of Independence

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The Declaration of the Establishment of

the State of Israel

Introduction

Societies are governed by laws and customs that are accepted as being essential to the identity of that society. Israel, in this sense is not different from any other society. The Declaration of Independence laid the foundation for the State of Israel. The essential identity of the state - its future laws, values and customs &endash; was to stem from this defining document.

 This lesson plan may be useful for any high school class. Scaffolding may be necessary in some classes.

Click here for text of Declaration of Independence

 Activity 1

Question to students: What do you know about the Declaration of Independence?

Pairs to list 3-5 pieces of information.

Groups of 4 to try to reach at least 10 items.

 

Activity 2

 

Groups of 4

Jigsaw puzzle &endash; put the document together (which has been cut up in a not- too-confusing way).

When finished, teacher hands out the "answer" to each individual.

Skim the Declaration of Independence (2 min) then update previous list in same group of 4 (crossing out if wrong and adding new information).

 

Activity 3

(done individually)

The proclamation may be divided into four sections:

Instructions to students: Identify the four sections by marking each one with a different colored pen.

 

1. the section that describes the history of the Jewish people, its struggle to renew its political life and the international recognition of this right.

 

2. the operative section, that proclaims the establishment of the state.

 

3. the section that declares the principles which will guide the State of Israel

 

4. the appeal to the U.N, to the Arab inhabitants of the state, to the Arab states and to world Jewry.

 

Activity 4.

 

Instruction to student:

(To be done individually)

Read the text of the Declaration of Independence and list the major principles 1. that are to guide the new state.

Choose the three that you most identify with. Explain your choice in writing or orally.

 

Activity 5

 

Choose ONE of the principles that you would like to investigate further &endash; to ascertain to what extent it has been protected by law and to what extent it has been adopted in practice. This will be your first step in deciding on a topic you will research in detail.


Click here for text of Declaration of Independence

Click here for Contents page

 

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