In a speech to the French fundraiser’s representatives, Begin stressed the importance of demilitarizing the Sinai Peninsula and sparing the settlements in the peace accord with Egypt, in order to maintain Israel’s national security. Later, He addressed the autonomy plan’s major principles, as well as the disagreement over Jerusalem’s division and Israel’s right to exist. Finally, he urged the audience to support Project Renewal.
In a TV interview, Begin discusses his relationship with Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat, specifically regarding peace in the Middle East. First, Begin talks about his successful visit with Carter. Then Begin talks about how he does not want peace with only Egypt, he wants Israel to be at peace with all of its neighbors. In regards to Jews living in Judea and Samaria, Begin said that they have a right to live there, just how Arabs from Judea and Samaria have a right to live in Israel. Begin talks about the consistent contact with Sadat. Begin states that Jerusalem will not be divided and will remain the Capital City for Israel. Then Begin talks about security and says that Israel will only rely on itself, not any international guarantees. Additionally, Begin says that regarding land, “We always said that everything is negotiable, except the destruction of Israel. Everything is negotiable.” Begin closes saying that meeting in Cairo is a great step towards peace.
Begin delivers a speech in response to Anwar Sadat’s address to the Knesset. He starts off briefly reflecting on past events to show that Israel has been dedicated to making peace with its neighbors since declaring independence. Then Begin shifts to agree that a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt should not put a wedge between Arab nations because Israel also wants peace with its other neighbors. He hopes that there will no longer be wars between Egypt and Israel and if there are disagreements between the countries, ambassadors will handle it. He shifts to expressing disagreement with Sadat’s statement that Israel took a foreign country. Then he talks about the importance of conducting negotiations respectfully so that there will eventually be a reached consent and thus, a signed peace treaty. Begin includes that he is open to negotiations with neighboring Arab countries and closes by quoting both the Bible and Koran.
Barbara Walters interviews Begin and Anwar Sadat on “ABC” on the eve of Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem. Topics include: the Geneva Conference, the possibility of a future Palestinian state, Sadat’s visit to Yad Vashem, and general thoughts on the peace process.
A reprinting of a chapter from Begin’s book, THE REVOLT, which appeared in the New York Post as part of a series of reprints. This chapter was appended to cover new information revealed over the decades. His description of his experiences as a prisoner of the Soviets, widely denounced by Communists as propaganda, has been acknowledged as truth. Soviet Jews have renounced Communism for Zionism in large numbers. Begin had accused the British of not wanting the Jews of Europe to be saved in the 1949s, and recently revealed documents show how the British prevented the Red Cross from saving 40,000 Jews from Hungary because they might have gone to Palestine. And after Begin always maintained that Israel’s rightful borders included all of Biblical Israel and that any other borders were artificial, in 1967 Israel finally regained Judea and Samaria, erasing the artificial line.
