Subjects: Fundamentals of Israeli Security

Egypt is Not at All Moderate

By

Begin combats Rabin’s statement that Egypt is a moderate nation. Begin believes, unlike Rabin, that retreating to the 1967 borders and “restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” would be the first steps towards “the liquidation of Israel in stages.” At the Rabat conference it was decided that Arafat would be the spokesman for the Arab inhabitants in Israel, and he was authorized to demand the establishment of a Palestinian State. Begin poses two important questions: If a country whose aim is to destroy Israel is moderate, what is extreme? And how does it look to the rest of the world if the leader of the country Egypt wishes to destroy says it is moderate? Begin believes that it is harmful to have a Prime Minister, like Rabin, who believes that Judea and Samaria do not rightfully belong to Israel.

Time to Face the Truth

By

Begin strongly opposes the UN resolution 741 which recognizes the right of Palestinian people to “achieve their rights by all means.” In response, Begin writes, “Has the world so soon forgotten that Hitler and Stalin also asserted their right to achieve their justified aims by all means?” He is particularly perturbed by the phrase “by all means,” and makes the point that all means includes murdering school children as happened in Kiryat Shemona and Ma’alot. Begin reminds enemies that the fighting Jew “arose during a time when the enemy used all means.” If the Arabs use “all means,” there will not be a state of Israel, he argues. The article also includes an excerpt that Begin wrote for “The Revolt” that Time magazine quoted out of context.

The Jewish People’s Right to Eretz Israel

By

Begin urges the Israeli government to remember that Eretz Israel is the land of the Jewish people. He reminds the Knesset that in the United Nations in 1947 the establishment of a Jewish state and an Arab state occurred, not a Palestinian state. He claims that there is no Palestine, no Palestinians, only Arabs. Arabs with whom the goal is to live peacefully together and share equal rights in the Jewish state of Israel.

A Mighty Public Has Answered the Call

By

Begin begins with his opinion that it is unrealistic and unproductive to speak about general peace agreements, yet he also does not agree with the agreed upon interim agreements. Kissinger’s interim agreement plan included one year of non-belligerency if Israel retreats 50 kilometers from the border with Egypt. He believes that this agreement is “territory in exchange for non-peace,” and that when the year is over it will lead to a war that could potentially endanger civilian lives. He regards the Likud Petition as an opportunity for the public to share it’s opinion. The main point of the petition is for Israel to keep the territories of Judea and Samaria in order to protect the future of the land of Israel.

What is ‘a Piece of Peace’

By

Begin expresses his belief that the Government is guilty of political blunder. He first explains that the Israeli Government is not alone; other governments have also slacked on being honest with its citizens. He specifically critique’s the Government’s decision to renounce its demand for both direct negotiations with its neighbors and retreat from land only after signed peace treaties. He counter-argues Henry Kissinger’s argument that since Israel’s neighbors do not agree to peace treaties, it is unrealistic for Israel to demand peace treaties. Begin speaks about what Arab leaders demand and then provides examples of peace treaties and territorial changes post-World War II. He concludes with a hope that the Jewish New Year will bring peace treaties and awareness of any new political blunder by the Government.