India’s president wishes Israel a happy Independence Day, a week early

Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee wishes Israel a happy Independence Day, but unfortunately gets the date wrong.

In an official statement released by the president’s office, Mukherjee mistakenly identifies Israel’s “National Day” as May 3 — even though the Jewish state declared independence on May 14, 1948, and is celebrating 68 years of independence — according to the Hebrew calendar — on May 12.

Mukherjee says he sent a message to President Reuven Rivlin extending “felicitations to you and the friendly people of the State of Israel on the occasion of your National Day.

“Our common commitment to the safeguarding of our democratic institutions and our shared values of liberty, freedom and equality have helped in forging a deep friendship between our two nations,” he adds.