Queen Elizabeth II sends Independence Day wishes

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sent her congratulations to Israel on Monday on the occasion of Independence Day. In a letter to Acting President Dalia Itzik, Her Majesty wrote: "I have much pleasure in sending Your Excellency my congratulations on the celebration of your National Day, together with my best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the Government and the People of the State of Israel in the year ahead." Her Majesty's 81st birthday will, meanwhile, be celebrated in Israel this Thursday with a grand reception at the Ramat Gan residence of British Ambassador Tom Phillips.