VOA标准英语2008年-Israel Celebrates 60th Anniversary

By Jim Teeple
Jerusalem
08 May 2008

Israelis from all walks of life celebrated¹ their country's 60th anniversary with military parades, musical concerts and the favorite Israeli Independence Day pastime: barbeques. VOA's Jim Teeple reports the celebrations took place as Israeli intelligence services warned of about a dozen terrorist threats against the Jewish state - a reminder² that 60 years after it declared Independence, Israel's security remains³ the country's main preoccupation.

Military preparedness guaranteed Israel's survival 60 years ago - something Israelis have never forgotten.

Celebrations this year showcased the country's military might, a reminder to Israelis, if one was needed, that their country should remain the pre-eminent military power in the Middle East - in the face of threats from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and other enemies of the Jewish state.

The cost of the celebrations - budgeted at $28 million has many Israelis grumbling⁴.

Ron Avni, an earthquake expert at Ben Gurion University in the southern city of Beersheba organized a petition drive against the festivities. Avni says the money could have been better spent.

"First let them find a budget for all the things that the country needs," said Avni. "Money should not be wasted on festivities whose primary purpose is to give a stage to the politicians."

Israelis are also preoccupied⁵ this Independence Day by allegations of political corruption⁶ surrounding Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Police have begun a new investigation⁷ into the prime minister's ties to an American businessman linked to past questionable⁸ campaign contributions in Israel.

The director of a leading conference center in Jerusalem, Uri Dromi, says Israelis are used to questions about their prime minister, but the latest allegations come at a bad time.

"This series of scandals really bothers Israelis. Especially on Independence Day when you want to focus on the celebrations, festivities and achievements, and all people do is look at the internet and try and get from sources what is going on with this recent scandal."

Many Israelis fear that Mr. Olmert's negotiations⁹ with the Palestinians could be put on hold if his government loses support because of the investigation.

Meanwhile, Palestinians marked Israel's Independence Day with observances to commemorate¹⁰ what they describe as the al-Naqba, or the catastrophe¹¹ - their description of the loss of their homes after 700,000 Palestinians fled the fighting in 1948.

Speaking at one such observance, moderate Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam¹² Fayyad said current Israeli-Palestinian talks were full of problems, but that was all the more reason for Palestinians to never give up the effort for a state of their own.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

3 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

4 grumbling   

adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的

参考例句：

• She's always grumbling to me about how badly she's treated at work. 她总是向我抱怨她在工作中如何受亏待。
• We didn't hear any grumbling about the food. 我们没听到过对食物的抱怨。

5 preoccupied   

adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式)

参考例句：

• He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice anything wrong. 他只顾想着心事，没注意到有什么不对。
• The question of going to the Mount Tai preoccupied his mind. 去游泰山的问题盘踞在他心头。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

7 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

8 questionable   

adj.可疑的，有问题的

参考例句：

• There are still a few questionable points in the case.这个案件还有几个疑点。
• Your argument is based on a set of questionable assumptions.你的论证建立在一套有问题的假设上。

9 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

10 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。

11 catastrophe   

n.大灾难，大祸

参考例句：

• I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。
• This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。

12 salaam   

n.额手之礼，问安，敬礼；v.行额手礼

参考例句：

• And the people were so very friendly:full of huge beaming smiles,calling out "hello" and "salaam".这里的人民都很友好，灿然微笑着和我打招呼，说“哈罗”和“萨拉姆”。
• Salaam is a Muslim form of salutation.额手礼是穆斯林的问候方式。