Subjects: Communists

We Shall Remain

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Begin speaks in front of the Knesset when Russian severance of diplomatic relations with Israel was debated. Begin first mentions that it is crucial for Israel to maintain diplomatic relations with all nations, except for Germany. Begin shifts, though, to emphasize that Israel won the War of Independence not by charity from other nations, but by the blood and suffering of Jews. He speaks of the threats Israel receives from other countries. He brings up Mordechai Oren’s trial and mentions that the foundation of the nation of Israel’s existence is the struggle for justice. Begin then argues that the Government and certain Knesset members are destroying national pride and political sovereignty. One specific example is having foreign relations with Germany. He concludes sharing that he does not have confidence in the Government.

Begin on future of Herut Party

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A speech by Begin to a Betar conference in South Africa in 1953. Begin is proud of the delegates to the conference for their allegiance and dedication. He says that Herut must not give up on the goal of a constitution for Israel, even if the idea is unpopular, because it is a necessity. Begin rejects the usage of the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’ as applied to political parties, as they were developed arbitrarily. He argues that Herut will defend the middle class from Mapai’s attempts to destroy it. Herut must be a party for all Jews in Israel. Herut supports the supremacy of the law and the independence of the judiciary. Herut is against the concept of civil marriages because it would lead to two different societies in Israel. The road for Betar and Herut may be long and hard, but their members should remember that Jabotinsky did not live to see the creation of the State of Israel either. They may yet achieve their goals despite their hardships.

Days of Danger–and Hope

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Begin shares his concern regarding how the Cold War could affect Israel. He first references to the Korean War and the U.S. involvement. He explains that if the Korean War became a world war, Jews would be fighting one another and Israel’s existence would be at stake. Begin talks about the British involvement and relationship with the U.S. Since the U.S. may need British help in Korea, it might also be seen that the U.S. needs help in the Middle East. Begin shifts to talking about England’s politics towards Israel, and mentions Germans and the Holocaust. England provides arms to the Arab resistance because they want the north of the Suez Canal. He then talks about mistakes the Government is making regarding this situation. In the last part, which is cut out, Begin shares his hope that just how the country was liberated from the British Mandate, he also hopes that soon the country will be liberated from Mapai’s “oppression and exploitation.”

Ben Gurion the Totalitarian

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Begin analyzes two situations that recently happened in the country. The first event is when a former Judge Advocate of the Haganah, Dr. Gorali, faced trial on a charge for libeling the Attorney General and Legal Adviser to the Government, Moshe Shapira. Gorali accused Shapira of conducting the Be’eri trial improperly “for personal reasons”. Begin argues that this incident weakens the status of justice in Israel. The second situation is Ben-Gurion’s threat to a Communist Knesset member. The member had denounced the Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal because he spoke negatively about Russia to the Associated Press correspondent. Begin mentions that he disagrees with both the Knesset member’s actions and Ben-Gurion’s response that “this State also knows how to imprison and confine.” Begin identifies his response as a hint of totalitarianism. He concludes claiming that there is no need to fear his totalitarian threats because in actuality, Ben-Gurion does not hold much power.

Speech at Knesset 9.11.49

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A speech Begin gave at the Knesset in 1949. The Government has been acting very undemocratically in preventing discussion on the writing of a constitution for the new State of Israel. The budget and the deficit of the new State are enormous, putting the economy at risk. Unfortunately there is little concrete investment in Israel and the charity of the Diaspora Jewish communities is not enough. Herut warned of the need to rescue the Jews in Arab countries from anti-Jewish violence and was ignored, and now that the government is finally responding to the problem it may be too late. The Arabs and other nations are making territorial claims against Israel, and Israel should make territorial claims in response, for all of Eretz Israel should be part of Israel by right. The government should resign in light of the above offences and mistakes. The Herut proposes a law for Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel.