Subjects: Government

The Alternative to Surrender

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Begin disagrees with the Israeli Government’s policy for moving the Sinai Peninsula frontline eastwards. He is frustrated with the U.S. pressuring Israel to believe that Anwar Sadat wants coexistence with Israel. Egypt only wants to have interim agreements with Israel and if Israel rejects the interim agreements, Egypt threatens to go to war with Israel. Even with this knowledge, the Government agrees to hand over “sources of fuel and the defensive Sinai passes.” Begin then shifts to talking about the U.S. involvement, specifically talking about Henry Kissinger. Begin believes that relations between Israel and the U.S. should not be based on U.S. ensuring the existence of Israel. Instead, the relationship should be based on true, mutual interests. In his conclusion, he says that the Israeli Government’s action has “shattered their credibility” and is inviting more pressure and threats from Egypt and the U.S.

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.

Israel’s Fruits of Victory Are Now in the Balance

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Begin speaks about how it is dangerous for Israel to continuously retreat without peace agreements. He first speaks about the major losses of security, oil, and money if Israel hands over the Milta and Giddi passes and the Abu Rodeis oilfields. Begin then explains why it is dangerous to retreat back to the 1967 border lines without a true peace treaty. He counter-argues the claim by foreign powers that Israel should be pleased that if it retreats to the 1967 lines, Arab nations will recognize Israel’s right to exist. Begin speaks about Anwar Sadat’s strategy of emphasizing that not only does Israel need to retreat to the 1967 borders, Israel also needs to restore the rights of Palestinians. Towards the end, Begin discusses the discrimination Israel experiences by its ships not being allowed to pass through the Suez Canal. He concludes that now is the time for complete alertness.

Begin Gives His Support to Rabin

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In an exclusive interview for the Jewish Herald, Begin expresses his support for Rabin’s decision to completely reject Anwar Sadat’s proposals. He acknowledges that the Opposition will stand behind the Government if the Government continues rejecting the idea of withdrawal without termination of state of war. To conclude he emphasizes that no nation withdrew from a defensive position prior to its enemy declaring an end to the state of war and therefore, Israel should not be the exception.

The Jewish People’s Right to Eretz Israel

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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.