Subjects: Golda Meir

American Jewish Congress

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A speech Begin gave while serving as the chairman of the debate at the 10th Annual American-Israel dialogue of the American Jewish Congress. The word revolution can be either progressive or retrogressive, depending on who the revolutionaries are fighting and their ultimate goals. After the calls to slaughter the Jews were ignored in the 1930s the left cannot expect Israel and the Jews to just ignore the Palestinian and wider Arab calls for the destruction of Israel and extermination of the Jews. Begin says that the people on the New Left are ignorant of the history of the Jews. Violence as used in revolutions should only be used against tyrannies. In democracies, there are other, better ways to bring about change. The Arabs have 20 countries and a vast land. There is no problem if a percent of them live in Israel, and there is no reason for countries to only have one ethnic group in them. That is the thinking of Hitler.

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.

The Inheritance of Our Fathers

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Begin takes the opportunity, at a meeting of the World Congress, to urge members to reaffirm the historic right to settle the land of Israel. He promises equal rights to all inhabitants, but warns that attempts to find a “solution of the Palestinian people’s problem” are veiled attempts to destroy the Jewish people. He allays fears of a demographic threat, noting that earlier projections of the numbers of olim were inaccurate and explaining why aliyah is often different from regular emigration.

Rogers Plan Will Not Bring Peace

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This article summarizes and quotes Begin’s address to the Knesset after Golda Meir announces Gahal’s resignation from the Cabinet. The reason for Gahal returning to be the Opposition party is because of the Cabinet’s decision to consider withdrawing without peace agreements. He shares how Gunnar Jarring’s letter of appointment was not constructed with the help of Israel. He also shares that he believes that there was and is an alternative to signing such document. Begin argues that by signing the document, it will not bring peace but rather prolong bloodshed. He concludes that Israel “returned to Jerusalem not by right of victory but by the victory of right—and let it be known throughout the world: Our right is eternal.”

The Israel Govt. Has Broken Faith with the Knesset

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Begin discusses the Government going against the Knesset’s decision in regards to retreating from the Suez Canal. Begin explains how the Government told the Government of the United States, in writing and verbally, that Israeli troops would retreat from the Suez Canal if the Canal was reopened to international shipping. Since the Government made pledges to maintain the decisions of the Knesset, Begin claims that the Government’s current actions are a breach to the basic law of the State. Begin then reflects on past situations and how he is in disbelief that after all this, the Government still considers withdrawing without a peace treaty. Begin remarks at the end that if Israel is not making good decisions, then there is no reason for the United States to make decisions considerate of Israel’s security.