Subjects: Greater Israel

Begin Hits Back

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After Abba Eban responded to his earlier op-ed in the Jerusalem Post, Begin “hits back.” Eban used Begin as a vehicle to attack his own Labor Party and its leaders, and also attacked Begin. Begin says that Eban was deeply embittered over losing his position as Foreign Minister and is still bitter. Begin accuses Eban of having different styles for foreigners as opposed to his countrymen, the former being noble and the latter being coarse. He maintains that according to the press reports of the Labor Party caucus his description of Eban’s speaking of evicting the settlers of Elon Moreh was accurate. He then accuse Eban of an Orwellian twisting of his words so that he supposedly said that it would be a “bloody adventure” to remove the settlers of Elon Moreh when Begin was speaking of the fighting with the Arabs that would result from giving up Judea and Samaria. Certain elements in the Labor Party feel the same need to settle Judea and Samaria as Begin.

The Inalienable Right of the Jewish People to Eretz Israel

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Begin argues against the claim that Zionism equals not only racism, but also extremism. He explains that Zionism is suddenly seems to be extreme because Zionists do not want to have Arafat in control of “the heart of Western Eretz Israel.” Then he shifts to talk about the error the Government has made with the new slogan of “if they recognize us, we’ll recognize them.” Additionally, when Israel argued that they would not participate in the UN Security Council sessions if the PLO participates, there was the claim that Israel’s reaction was emotional and extremist. However, Begin points out how the UN resolutions 212 and 194 are the formula for destroying Israel. Therefore, it should not be seen as extremism when wanting to protect Israel from destruction. Towards the end he mentions that it is self-destructive for Jews accepting the term Palestinian and believing that Arabs in Nazarath waving a Palestinian flag is merely self-expression.

Soviets Look to Arafat for a Base

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An op-ed Begin wrote for the Jerusalem Post. Yasser Arafat is a frequent visitor and patron to the Soviet Union. He not only means to destroy Israel, but if he gets a state it is guaranteed to become a Soviet base in the Middle East, with a steady supply of airlifted modern arms from the USSR. This would be an existential threat to Israel, but it would also be a threat to the free world to have a Soviet base in such a strategically important region. No matter who Israel gives the land to, if it pulls out of Judea and Samaria the Arafat State and the Soviet base would result. Israel needs to make the west, especially the USA, understand the danger a Palestinian State would pose to them in addition to Israel. And the Jews and Israel have every right to the land of Israel.

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.

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.”