April 23. On this date in 1963, the funeral of Israel's second President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi was held. "The first official act of the Universal House of Justice following its election at Ridvan 1963 was to send a delegation consisting of two Hands of the Cause and two members of the House of Justice to attend the State funeral of Israel's second President, Izhak Ben Zvi, which was held in Jerusalem on April 23, 1963."

 

April 23. On this date in 1963, the funeral of Israel's second President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi was held. "The first official act of the Universal House of Justice following its election at Ridvan 1963 was to send a delegation consisting of two Hands of the Cause and two members of the House of Justice to attend the State funeral of Israel's second President, Izhak Ben Zvi, which was held in Jerusalem on April 23, 1963."

From page 92 of The Bahá'í World, Volume 14....

RELATIONS WITH THE STATE OF ISRAEL

The State of Israel from its inception has accorded high status to the international institutions of the Faith located at the World Centre. Historically speaking, there had always been, from the time of Baha'u'llah Himself, high respect for the Faith and its leaders on the part of local government officials. The rights, privileges and status granted to the Baha'is in the time of the Mandate were continued and in some respects enlarged following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

The first official act of the Universal House of Justice following its election at Ridvan 1963 was to send a delegation consisting of two Hands of the Cause and two members of the House of Justice to attend the State funeral of Israel's second President, Izhak Ben Zvi, which was held in Jerusalem on April 23, 1963.

Israel's third President, Zalman Shazar, accepted the invitation of the Universal House of Justice in the spring of 1964 to pay a formal visit to the Shrine of the Bab and the Baha'i gardens on Mount Carmel. included in the Presidential party on that occasion were Mrs. Shazar and Mayor and Mrs. Aba Khoushy of Haifa. Later a delegation composed of Hands of the Cause and members of the Universal House of Justice returned the visit by calling on President Shazar at Beit Hanassi in Jerusalem. 

The cordial relationship which exists between the World Centre and the State of Israel was further enhanced when Mark Tobey and Bernard Leach each presented a piece of their work to the new Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The Mayor of Jerusalem, who is also Director of the Museum, expressed great pleasure and gratitude for these gifts from Baha'is of such fame.

The change in management of the various Israel Branches of National Assemblies from the Custodiansto members of the Universal House of Justice was officially accepted by the State of Israel, and in all other respects the status of the Universal House of Justice as the head of the Faith was recognized and respected.

In 1966 a stone wall and new entrance to the Baha'i cemetery in Haifa were constructed, resulting in the beautification of this treasured visiting place of Baha'i pilgrims where many outstanding early Baha'is are buried at the foot of Mount Carmel just below the cave of Elijah.