Subjects: Greater Israel

No Basis for Despair

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Despite Israel’s serious political and economic position, Begin assures the public that there is no cause for pessimism or despair. He blames the leadership of the Labor Alignment for the current crisis. Likud’s philosophy, Begin explains, aims to achieve peace by making it clear to Israel’s neighbors that “they have no possibility of destroying the State of Israel.” Begin gives an example of honest leadership from the Tanach, about the spies that Moses sent, one from each of the twelve tribes, to the land of Canaan. Upon returning, they reported a land flowing with milk and honey, but the inhabitants were strong, and the cities large and fortified. One of the spies, Caleb, said “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Begin uses this example of bravery and leadership in facing the challenges that lie ahead for Israel, but reminding the public that Israel is a strong nation that is capable of overcoming any obstacle in its way.

Jerusalem is Not Phnom-Penh

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Begin very clearly outlines the goals of Israel as: “peace treaty, declaration on the establishment of peaceful relations, ceasefire, armistice, non-belligerence, and a state of war and its annulment.” Begin accuses Dr. Kissinger of trying to deprive Israel of what it needs, a peace treaty. He says that without a peace treaty, there can be no transference of territory, except, according to Kissinger, in Israel. Likud urges the Prime Minister to not retreat until Egypt has annulated the state of war, meaning no withdrawal from the land without a peace treaty. He says that if Israel were to comply with Egypt’s demands and retreat, Israel would be in the same position as the war-torn Vietnamese city Phnom-Penh, “within the range of the enemy’s guns.” Even America, he says, cannot help alleviate the situation there because of the gunfire of the Khmer Rouge forces. He says, “They are what our enemies wish for us,” as he urges the public to stand tall, not to retreat, and defend Israel.

8 Points for Peace

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In the Passover Edition of the Jewish Herald, Begin states 8 points Herut has proposed in order to establish peace in the Middle East. He then addresses neighboring Arab countries. Begin stresses to them that each time they attempted to destroy Israel, they destroyed themselves. He continues to say that Israel is getting stronger because the fighting Jew has emerged and is “prepared to fight for liberty.” Begin argues that although that the fighting Jew can destroy Arabs, the fighting Jew wants to make peace. Additionally, Begin says that history that continuing with war is pointless. He reiterates, though, that Israel’s forces are alert and ready. He then counters the argument that Herut views are extremist and concludes that making great land concessions and negotiating with Arafat representatives are in fact extremist.

No, Dr. Kissinger!

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Begin emphasizes the importance of not retreating to the 1967 borders. Israel was offered an end to belligerency in exchange for the retreat, however Begin is unimpressed. To explain the situation in a way that is more understandable for an American audience, he compares it to the hypothetical situation America would find itself in if Russia offered eternal peace if they allowed them to occupy Washington and destroy the US nuclear stockpile and missiles. Begin finds Dr. Kissinger’s plan reminiscent of the Rogers Plan, which he rejected. He describes Dr. Kissinger’s plan as a “step-by-step approach to the plan of our total disintegration.” He argues that this disintegration of Israel will also have negative effects on America because it is possible that the Arabs will force the US to exert pressure on Israel, and if they do and Israel surrenders as a result, “there will be no bounds to Arab blackmail, which will be supported by Russia.”

Israel is Strong Enough to Resist Dr. K’s War of Nerves

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Before Dr. Kissinger’s visit to the Middle East to propose a final plan for peace, Begin reviews the threats he feels Dr. Kissinger has used against Israel in an attempt for force them to surrender territory. Sadat demands that Israel withdraw from the Sinai, Golan Heights, and Jordan River, but the state of belligerency will only end if an Arab State is created in the areas of Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip. Dr. Kissinger refers to these demands as moderate. Kissinger stated that if Israel does not retreat and give back territory, war will be inevitable. Begin famously believed the exact opposite of that, that war is never inevitable, and “lessons of the past show how they can be averted.” Begin makes Kissinger out to be a schoolyard bully, trying to force Israel into actions that are not good for the State.