Subjects: Army

Menachem Begin’s Case Against Military Rule

By

Begin addresses the Knesset and argues that Israel should no longer have a Military Government. He provides examples to show that this type of Government is not protecting the country. Begin argues that ending Military rule will not threaten Israel’s security. Begin concludes by proposing that “no single right granted to any civilian or military authority be abrogated until the Knesset adopts an all-embracing law to safeguard the security of the State.”

Our Right to National Self Defence

By

Begin writes in “Herut” about the current Syrian aggression and how Israel should respond. He first suggests for Israel to counter-attack only when Israel will choose the place and time. He criticizes the denial of any Knesset debate regarding the Syrian aggression and then he responds to the argument that Israel retaliated out of proportion. In this response, he provides an example of when Russia shot down an American spy pilot to show that if Russia can use all military means on a spy plane in the name of self-defense, then Israel should be allowed to self-defend against an aggressive neighbor. He shifts to argue how the “Davar” newspaper would have negatively responded to Israel’s recent counter-attack if Herut was in power. Begin concludes in honoring the Hebrew soldier and that their blood spilt in a battle is never spilt in vain.

The Man for whom Jabotinsky Waited

By

In honor of David Raziel being brought to rest on Mount Herzl, Begin pays tribute to Raizel’s dedication and commitment to liberate Eretz Israel. Begin also thanks all those who helped transfer Raziel’s remains to Israel.

Mike Wallace Interviewing Menachem Begin

By

An interview Begin gave to Chris Wallace. Begin felt persecuted as a Jew and witnessed persecution against Jews from his childhood through his college years. He joined Zeev Jabotinsky’s Betar movement and decided that the Jews had to fight for their own state. Allegations that the Irgun was a bunch of cowards who killed randomly and would not face the enemy in open conflict were completely wrong, as the warnings before attacks, storming of Acre prison, and brave deaths of the Gallows Martyrs proves. Begin says that all people and organizations, including the Irgun, make mistakes. He regrets the civilian deaths at Dir Yassin, but it was a fierce battle to conquer the town which had many casualties on both sides. The Irgun and the Lechi were too small to believe in force. War is a terrible tragedy, because once it begins innocent people are guaranteed to die no matter how careful an army is.

Israel’s Democracy Endangered

By

Begin challenges the article in the “Jerusalem Post” that vaguely argues that Pinchas Lavon is against the army. Begin shares that the underlying cause of Lavon’s forced resignation and the article is because of David Ben-Gurion. Begin argues that Israel is a free state and Ben-Gurion’s actions are dangerous to the future of Israel’s democratic values. He concludes that Herut will do everything in their means to prevent Ben-Gurion’s covering up process.