This is a map of the State of Israel surrounded by drawings representing various elements of life in the young nation.
The map was printed as a supplement by the Davar newspaper. The title at the top reads “Year Two of the State of Israel.” The map was designed by the artist Michael Kara, published by Dr. Y. Shapira (Joszef Schapiro) and printed by Kfar Monash Printers.
The map shows the borders of Israel after the War of Independence. The key on the bottom right explains the various colours and lines used. The dotted red line on the map represents the proposed UN Partition Plan. The areas shaded in blue represent western Israel; the areas shaded in red represent international territory. The dark blue line represents the armistice lines between Israel and the Arab states within Israel’s borders. The red lines mark the international borders. It can be seen that part of Jerusalem is an enclave, Jewish territory surrounded by territory controlled by the Arab Legion. The Gaza Strip is under Egyptian control.
The pictures that surround the map represent the life and values of the young country. In the top left, a young soldier and a woman are hanging the flag and emblem of the State. Underneath that is a picture of a young family arriving in the country by boat. This picture represents the wave of immigration that flooded the new State from the moment it was founded. Due to the British White Paper restricting the number of immigrants, Jews had not been allowed into the country for many years, but now immigrants began flocking to Israel from all over the world. At the bottom of the map on both sides there are pictures of a shield with a Magen David.
In the top right, underneath the Hebrew year 5710, there is a picture of a man blowing a shofar, representing the place of religion in Israel. Underneath is a picture of a woman collecting wheat in a field, representing the importance of agriculture. The next picture shows a muscular man building a city, representing the building industry in the new country. This is followed by a picture of a soldier with a helmet and the symbol of the Israeli army, a sword with an olive branch wrapped around it.
Not all modern cities can be found on the map, such as Eilat which was not founded until 1955. The map includes both Jewish and Arab cities, towns, and villages as well as Jewish settlements, such as the Etzion Bloc, that fell into Jordanian hands in the War of Independence.
It is interesting to note that the artistic style of the images is reminiscent of Soviet propaganda with its strong, young people.
