President Shazar Heads Israel’s Delegation at Kennedy’s Funeral

Israel’s President Zalman Shazar and Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, participated today in the formal funeral services for the late President Kennedy.

Mr. Shazar came here by El Al Airlines plane from Israel last night, and was scheduled to return to Israel tomorrow night. He was met upon arrival at the airport here by Secretary of State Dean Rusk. After the funeral services, Mr. Shazar and Mrs. Meir were among other foreign heads of state and leading diplomats received by President Lyndon B. Johnson. They were also received by Mrs. J.F. Kennedy. During the obsequies, President Shazar and Mrs. Meir attended the pontifical requiem mass for President Kennedy at St. Matthew’s Cathedral here.

The Israeli President headed a delegation of four, including, in addition to Mrs. Meir, Israel’s Ambassador to Washington, Avraham Harman; and Ran Ranon, the Israeli Embassy’s military attache here.

Tonight, both President Shazar and Mrs. Meir attended a commemorative service held at the Washington Hebrew Congregation as a memorial to Mr. Kennedy conducted by the Washington Jewish Community. At this solemn event, they were present as participants in a Jewish religious, devotional service, rather than in their official capacities as representatives of the State of Israel.

Today, observing American national Day of Mourning, all Israeli consulates throughout the country, including the Consulate General in New York, were closed.

Mrs. Meir made public today the contents of a telegram she sent to Secretary of State Rusk as soon as she had learned of the assassination of President Kennedy. She was in this country, heading Israel’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. In her message to Mr. Rusk, she emphasized that “no words can adequately express my shock and sorrow over this tragedy.”