Subjects: Diaspora

Speech at Knesset in honor of the USA Bicentennial

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A speech Begin gave at the Knesset to commemorate the USA’s 200th anniversary. The American Revolution was a turning point in world history. Those who fight for freedom and justice do not believe in force, but they are still able to overcome the many and the strong through their moral values. Two hundred years later America is the most powerful nation and the primary force for freedom in the world. Begin asks that the US Ambassador to Israel move to Jerusalem permanently, and that America recognize and treat Israel as an ally like Israel recognizes and treats America. Israel knows all America has done to protect freedom around the world and throughout history, especially in World War Two. Begin also expresses admiration of the American Jewish community, the most powerful Diaspora Jewish community in nearly 2,000 years. Begin hopes that America will continue to protect the free world in the years to come.

A Hasty Word Can Shake the World

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Begin mainly talks about foreign perspectives on Jewry and Israel. He provides examples of comments made by Helmut Sonnenfled, Jimmy Carter, and Bruno Kreisky. Begin then shares that there are Jews who believe that Sadat wants peace and is moderate. Begin goes into detail explaining that Sadat encourages a plan that would destroy Israel. Sadat believes Israel should retreat to the 1967 borders and that Palestinians still deserve their rights. This would lead to the destruction of Israel and with Arafat ruling over the land. Then Begin talks about how the word “dissident” has been used to describe both Zion haters and lovers. Lastly, he mentions Yitzchak Rabin’s statement that there are a group of Israelis wanting to harm the Israel- U.S. relationship, to which Begin argues subsequently harms Israel.

A Blow for Democracy

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Begin focuses on Yitzchak Rabin’s undemocratic stand that the chairman of the Jewish Agency (the Zionist Organization) must be part of the Labor Party. Party membership is the important factor, not valuable qualifications and experience. Begin gives examples showing that this has not happened in other democratic countries. Begin talks about Labor Party spokesmen’s reactions when a candidate for the Chairman of the Jewish Agency chose to not enter his candidacy in the name of a political party. They identified him as being part of Likud and said they would do their best to prevent his election. Begin argues that by having party membership be the important factor for the position as chairman is “a blow against democracy in Israel.”

The Historic Greatness of Zionism

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Begin responds to the UN resolution condemning Zionism as racism. Begin first talks about how Arab States hide their hatred of Jews by claiming that they are not anti-Semitic, because they themselves are Semitic. He compares Sadat’s propaganda to propaganda Nazis used. He continues to show that Sadat is not moderate or peace-oriented. Begin then talks about Zionism. He argues that Zionism is at the core of Judaism because it is the idea of returning to the nation’s Motherland. He hopes that in addition for there being a Jewish majority in Israel, there will also be the majority of Jews in Israel. He argues that “Zionism is the fruit of love” to oppose Sadat’s claim that “Zionism brought hatred and destruction to the Middle East.” He talks about the Jewish history of destruction. Additionally, he makes the distinction that Jews did not liberate Israel from Arabs, but from the British. It was the British, not Jews, who were the foreign regime prior to Statehood.

U.N. Debates the Palestinian Lie

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Begin focuses on which views are considered progressive and reactionary when talking about Arabs of Israel/Palestinians. He discusses how there are people who think that they are progressive for recognizing the Palestinian entity. This includes Jews and American professors. Begin believes, though, that their thoughts are hypocritical. He goes into detail about what this Palestinian entity does and what it means for the Israel. This entity, he argues, believes in using the right to fight by all means, including targeting women and children. Ultimately, it jeopardizes Israel’s future. Begin shifts to respond to the argument that not supporting the Palestinian entity means that he supports Israel ruling over Arabs. The argument continues saying that ruling over Arabs is a cancer for Israel. Begin remarks that he does not believe in ruling over Arabs, but rather living with them “in mutual tolerance.”