Subjects: Greater Land of Israel

By Our Present Stand We Assure Israel a Future and Peace

By

The interview with Begin focuses on his political perspectives and experiences. The introduction positively describes Begin and emphasizes how people think he has changed. The first question asked is about the relationship between Etzel agreeing to work with the Haganah, and Gahal agreeing to a Government of National Unity. Begin explains the differences between both situations. However, the main similarity is the purpose: Salvation of the nation. Begin then discusses his experiences while being in “Opposition.” He talks about the importance in stating that it is a historic right for Judea and Samaria to be part of Israel, however, he emphasizes that he will not initiate war. He spends time defining political terms such as “left,” “right,” “socialists,” and “progressives.” He identifies some of these groups as anti-Israeli and therefore, also anti-Semitic. The interview ends with Begin sharing his beliefs about peace. He is confident that peace will someday come.

We Have Served Our People Well

By

Begin sends a message to the delegates at Johannesburg’s National Conference of the Zionist Revisionist Organization. In this message Begin acknowledges the victories the disciples of Ze’ev Jabotinsky have fought for, despite the harsh opposition. He says that there is still a struggle for the Jewish Homeland, and that they must continue to devote their lives for serving the cause. He concludes that their generation has seen great suffering and that before they leave, they must make sure Israel is safe and secure.

Begin Tells Israel Exactly Where Herut Stands

By

Begin addresses the national council of the Herut Movement and focuses on the Labor Party’s move of taking peace decisions that are contrary to the lines of policy accepted by both the Knesset and the Government of National Unity. Begin first speaks about the Russia-Egypt relationship. He argues that Israel’s enemies will be defeated and that it is a duty for the nation to settle in land gained from the Six-Day War. Furthermore, the National Unity Government should be supporting this. He shifts to speak about the costs and benefits of Gahal both leaving and remaining in the Government of National Unity. He concludes that Herut stands for the Jewish people’s right to Israel, and “there can be no division between a peace treaty and a condition for security.”

We Shall Not Be Denied the Fruits of Our Victory

By

Begin focuses on the land Israel gained from the 1967 war. He argues that Israel was not the aggressor and to prove this, he provides the definition of an aggressor in an international conflict. Then he shows how Arab nations were the aggressors, according to the definition he provided. Begin then discusses the international law that an aggressor does not have a right to the land it lost with or without a peace treaty. He then talks about the physical size of Israel and how Israel cannot jeopardize its national security and does not want more Israeli bloodshed. He reflects on the massive bloodshed of Jews during the Holocaust and how powerful countries allowed it to happen. He wants Israel to have freedom of fear, freedom from want, and freedom from danger of destruction. He talks about how the Jewish-Christian relations will become stronger. Additionally, he has hopes for better Jewish-Muslim relations.

Declaration of the Rights of the Jewish People to its Homeland, to Liberty, Security and Peace

By

A statement by Begin at the Ninth Convention of the Herut Movement in Jerusalem. He declares that the right of the Jewish people to the whole of Eretz Israel is unalienable. The Jews were exiled nearly 2000 years ago, but they never lost their connection to Eretz Israel. The other nations of the world also recognized the right of the Jews to Eretz Israel, though they also tried to institute illegal and colonialist partitions of the land. Israel must extend its sovereignty over all of its rightful territory. The Jews recently suffered the destruction fo a third of their worldwide population, and Israel remains surrounded by enemies who want to destroy it. Israelis want peace with the Arab nations, through peace treaties, but for its security as well as for its rights it must retain control of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. Israel will provide equal right to all Arabs and citizenship to any Arab living under Israeli sovereignty who desires it.