Subjects: Fundamentals of Israeli Security

Russia Now Backs War in Middle East

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Begin speaks about the blossoming relationship between Russia and Egypt. He first explains that it is in fact the Labor Movement, not the “Nationalistic-Religious Right,” who prefers territory over peace. He shares what Golda Meir, Yigal Allon, and Moshe Dayan have said to show that even his opponents in the Government recognize the need to make some territorial demands for a viable peace. He also discusses how Israel’s enemies speak about Israel. Despite Sadat’s disinterest in peace with Israel, “the Government had helped to increase Sadat’s prestige internationally.” Begin concludes by reiterating that it is shameful to assume that the Opposition prefers land over peace.

Begin on the Justice of Zionism

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A speech Begin gave in America in 1972. The world wants to forget, but Israel and the Jews will not forget how the Arab armies massed on Israel’s borders with the declared intention of destroying the Jewish State. Thankfully Israel was wise enough to launch a preemptive strike and come out of the war with relatively few casualties and more territory. There are those who say Israel should give back virtually all of the land, but doing so would put Israel’s population centers in the range of the rockets and artillery of the enemy. The PLO and similar organizations attempt to carry out a genocide of Jews, as evidenced by their attacks on civilians and by their own statements. But Jews should never be afraid any more. Israel spends nearly a third of its GNP on defense, and so needs the aid of American Jewry. With their help, Israel and world Jewry will be preserved for eternity.

The Way to Peace (1971)

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In response to threats issued by President Anwar Sadat, Begin here compares the Soviet-Egyptian treaty to the Molotov-Ribbentrop treaty and urges Jewish unity. He closes by reiterating Gahal’s platform, which he terms an alternative to withdrawal from territory: direct negotiations, no prior obligations, and maintaining the situation at the time of the ceasefire until a full peace treaty is concluded.

Israel Diplomacy is Moving in Circles

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Begin explains that based on Anwar Sadat’s words and actions, it is delusional of Israel to believe that peace will come from the Rogers Plan. In a speech, Sadat says that Egypt’s goals of war are to force Israel back into the pre-Six-Day War borders and to safeguard Palestinian rights. Furthermore, Sadat threatens to end the ceasefire if Israel does not begin to withdrawal from the east bank of the Suez Canal. Begin understands that the meaning of these goals is to destroy Israel. His response is that Israel needs to answer strongly to show that threats will not weaken Israel. Begin believes that people are delusional if they support withdrawal and therefore, trust international forces to secure Israel. Begin does not trust the current peace agreements. In the end, he argues that peace agreements need to through direct negotiations and that Jews have an unconditional right to Israel.

Gahal’s Plan for Peace

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Begin shares Gahal’s plan for peace, with its main objective preserving the peace of the nation of Israel, not only for his generation, but also for future generations. The plan for peace must involve mutual recognition, direct negotiations, a historical truth that Jewish people have the eternal right to their homeland, and no partition of the land. Additionally, there must be no threat of aggression and an obligation to prevent existence of hostile organizations. Begin believes that Gahal’s plan for peace has the combination of security and peace. Without this combination, there will be constant bloodshed and a threat to Israel’s existence. He reflects on the increase of aliyah, which has made Jabotinsky’s dream of having a Jewish majority in the region come true. He also discusses the cycle Jews have been in for all their history: Rising and falling. He concludes that Israel will stop the cycle at rising and therefore, Jews will no longer fall.