Subjects: Government

Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur Why Didn’t You Mobilize the Reserves

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A speech Begin gave at the Knesset after the Yom Kippur War. The Chief of Staff had said that if the reserves had been called up 24 or 48 hours earlier the war would have taken a less costly course in its early stages. The brave IDF soldiers did their best and were in the end victorious, but the government should never have put them in such an impossible situation. Begin demands that Prime Minister Golda Meir and her cabinet resign. Resigning would show the powers that convene the Geneva Conference that Israel does not have a government with the authority to make concessions until after new elections are held, and then the conference can be pushed back until January. The Government has also been irresponsible in accepting an agreement with Secretary of State Kissinger and President Sadat for the release of Israeli POWs in exchange for easing the siege on the Egyptian Third Army. Despite the failures of the government, the IDF is the best army in the world and is full of heroes.

A New Gahal

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With elections approaching, Begin speaks about Gahal being the true opposition of the Government. He argues that despite what the Independent Liberals claim, they are not the leading opposition party. He also speaks of positive prospects for the election results, with Gahal gaining more representation in the next Knesset. The then shares different reasons as to why citizens will vote in support of Gahal. He emphasizes that Gahal believes in Greater Israel, with no partition of the Homeland. He also speaks about today’s privilege of no longer living in sacfrifice and suffering. He concludes that Gahal is the party that will do the best in handling future difficulties the country may face.

We Seek a Mandate from the Nation to Form a Government

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An interview Begin gave to Rafael Bashan of Yediot Aharonot during the negotiations for the formation of the Likud bloc. Begin asserts that there is a strong common denominator between the various parties that are trying to form this new bloc. Contrary to rumors that Begin chose the name ‘opposition alignment’ no name had as yet been chosen for the new bloc. The time of the National Unity Government is over, and a one-party government would not function better but would be worse for democracy. The government, while not being able to carry out the program, had undertaken to give back parts of Judea and Samaria. Begin believes that the public needed to see a party staying 100% committed to its principles. He is proud of his demand in 1967 that Moshe Dayan be made the Minister of Defence because the national unity government that resulted greatly helped Israeli and IDF morale in the days leading up to the Six Day War. Begin demands settlement of all of the Land of Israel.

A Tower of Babel

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Begin speaks about the contradictory opinions of leaders within the Labor Party regarding the land liberated in the Six-Day War. He first speaks about Moshe Dayan’s views, which are close to those of Gahal. Like Begin, Dayan believes that the liberated land should not be partitioned. Begin shifts to question how Dayan’s colleagues could consider partitioning the Homeland, which goes against the essence of Zionism. Begin then counters the argument that in 25 years, the Homeland will not have a Jewish majority. To conclude, Begin reiterates that the beliefs of the members of the “united” Labor Party are different and therefore, this party is deceiving the public.

More than P.M.’s Credibility is at Stake

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Begin focuses on Golda Meir’s statements of resigning from premiership. He argues that a key problem is that if she does not follow through, then she will be seen as a leader that does not follow her word. He continues that Israel’s leader losing credibility hurts Israel’s diplomacy. He shifts to argue that the United States needs to recognize that there is a partnership between Israel and the U.S. Israel is not a charity State. To support his argument, he speaks about Israel helping prevent U.S. soldiers being killed in Vietnam. However, Begin points out that Meir does not publically share this assistance. Begin also touches upon the current majority of the Government wanting to partition the Homeland. He concludes that Israel and its representatives need to remind the international community that Israel is a “free people [that] will make its own decision about its future, its security and its peace.”