Subjects: Fundamentals of Israeli Security

Time is in Israel’s Favour

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Begin talks about the pressure the United States attempts to put on Israel, claiming that there is limited time left for the Rogers Plan. Begin focuses how it is important for Israel not to rush because time is actually on Israel’s side. He talks about how time worked against Jews during the Holocaust. Also, if Jews did not take time into their own hands, the Partition Plan would have been seen through. He mentions the U.S.’s insecurity regarding the Communist powers, China and Russia. Additionally, Begin mentions that time accelerated the creation of the most sophisticated weapons, which benefits Israel’s security. Just like weapons, time will also help, not hurt, Israel’s security. He argues that time will show Israel’s enemies that they do not have any chance of destroying Israel. Therefore, Israel should not give into the U.S.’s pressure claiming that there is limited time left to guarantee Israel’s security.

Israel’s Right to National Security

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Begin does not focus on Israel’s right to exist, but rather Israelis’ existence as a right. He believes that Israel’s existence is a right and it is Israel’s responsibility for its existence. For example, during the Six-Day War, Israel wanted assistance from U.S., but did not want the U.S. to be responsible for the existence of Israel. Begin shifts to talk about the common threat of communism and how this provides partnership opportunities for Israel with other countries. Towards the end he talks about the danger of using the term “Palestinians.” Therefore, for Israel’s safety, the term “Israeli Arabs” should be used. He closes with saying a ceasefire and direct negotiations for peace treaties will allow Jews and Arabs to live freely together in Israel.

Surrender Engenders Further Surrender

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Begin speaks about how it is dangerous for Israel to continuously retreat without peace agreements. He first speaks about the Mitla and Giddi Passes and the Abu Rodeis oilfields. Originally, Israel recognized that these were important and therefore, could not be surrendered. However, Yitzchak Rabin declared on American television that Israel would hand over these areas for an interim agreement with Egypt. Begin also shares Egypt’s attitude and how Henry Kissinger encourages Israel to accept this attitude. Begin argues that the Government accepting such attitude is an act of surrender. Furthermore, retreating from the passes and oilfields discredits Israel’s ability to stick to its word. He speaks more about Kissinger and how Kissinger threatens and pressures Israel. Begin concludes that Israel cannot follow Kissinger’s delusions because Israel’s security is at serious risk.

Gideon Lev-Ari interviews Menahem Begin

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An interview Begin gave to Israeli reporter Gideon Lev-Ari during the American “reassessment” of 1975. Begin notes the change in the Arab world’s stated demands from the total destruction of Israel to a withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines, but says that the Arab goal of destroying Israel has not changed, only the rhetoric. Begin says there must be a full end to hostilities, followed by direct peace negotiations. Then Israel must give the ‘Arabs of Eretz Israel’ (Begin’s term for the Arabs known as Palestinians living in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria) full cultural autonomy and the option of Israeli citizenship but not national autonomy. The Israel-US relationship will continue to survive disagreements between the two countries. Israel must learn from the Munich agreement not to give in when it is threatened by its enemies and pressured to give in by its friends. In the end, peace will come

Menachem Begin Speaks to the American People

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Begin is interviewed on “Meet the Press” during his visit to the United States. The interview first focuses on Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors and Begin’s stance against concessions prior to peace treaties. Then Begin speaks about why Israel should not be deemed responsible for the breakdown of the Israeli-Egyptian talks. There are questions about Arab refugees, with Yasser Arafat as an example of a refugee from Jerusalem. Begin makes clear that one cannot compare the PLO to Etzel. The interview goes back to discussing Henry Kissinger’s efforts to bring peace in the Middle East. Additionally, Begin expresses concern in U.S. discontinuing its assistance to Israel. Begin also argues that Israel is not isolated by the world. The interview concludes with Begin saying, “…if the Arabs know that Israel is indestructible, they will think about peace. If they know that their artillery can obliterate us, then the chance of peace is lost.”