The Alternative to Surrender

Begin disagrees with the Israeli Government's policy for moving the Sinai Peninsula frontline eastwards. He is frustrated with the U.S. pressuring Israel to believe that Anwar Sadat wants coexistence with Israel. Egypt only wants to have interim agreements with Israel and if Israel rejects the interim agreements, Egypt threatens to go to war with Israel. Even with this knowledge, the Government agrees to hand over "sources of fuel and the defensive Sinai passes." Begin then shifts to talking about the U.S. involvement, specifically talking about Henry Kissinger. Begin believes that relations between Israel and the U.S. should not be based on U.S. ensuring the existence of Israel. Instead, the relationship should be based on true, mutual interests. In his conclusion, he says that the Israeli Government's action has "shattered their credibility" and is inviting more pressure and threats from Egypt and the U.S.