Subjects: illegal immigration

There is a New Faith in Our Future

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Begin speaks to Herut, Hatzohar, and Betar about the history and the future of their Movement. He starts by thanking the members for their strong commitment throughout the years. He reflects on Etzel’s dedication to fighting for the Jewish homeland and Etzel’s patience which prevented a civil war. He shifts and acknowledges the challenges and discrimination the Movement’s members have faced while being in the Opposition. Begin mentions that since the Movement has been in office, it has strengthened the morale of the people. He acknowledges that some members of the Movement are disappointed that they are not part of the new Government. Begin reminds them that the Movement’s guiding principles are justice and righteousness. Additionally, being part of the Movement means to serve the people instead of ourselves. He concludes by sharing his hopes for the upcoming year.

Irgoult

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On “Gaurmont”, a history of the Irgun. It covered its formation, the King David Hotel and Acre Prison operations, and its ultimate dissolution.

Book on History of the Haganah: A Distortion of the Facts

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Begin addresses the Golda Meir’s decision to not publish, under the name of the Government and Army, chapters about Etzel in a second volume about the history of the Haganah. Begin explains that the volume distorts Etzel’s activities and criticizes Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Begin shares his process of trying to prevent the second volume from being published. He speaks with Moshe Dayan, who then passed it onto the Cabinet. Begin also spoke with then Prime Minister, Levi Eshkol. Begin shifts to the current decision by current Prime Minister, Golda Meir, to have the volume published, but without the name of the Government or the Army. Although the distortion of the truth is still published, Begin expresses the importance of the Government’s decision not to put its stamp of approval.

Chiefs of the Pre-State Resistance Looks Back

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Begin participates in a discussion led by Geulah Cohen with other key actors (Moshe Sneh, Nathan Yellin-Mor, Haim Landau, Shimon Peres, Eliezer Livneh, Shmuel Katz, and Ya’acov Riftin) about the pre-State resistance. Begin first speaks about the United Resistance Movement and argues against Moshe Sneh’s statement that the Haganah always fought against the British regime. He acknowledges that illegal immigration led by the Haganah was an important form of resistance, but not armed resistance. In fact, the Haganah assisted the British regime in the attempt to liquidate the Underground during “the season”. Begin returns to speak about the United Resistance Movement, and about the King David Hotel operation. Begin also shares how the British government was not interested in stopping the annihilation of European Jews during the Holocaust. The discussion closes with disagreement about what happened with Altalena and the mistrust Haganah leaders had towards the Underground’s intentions.

We Await You with a Pounding Heart

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On the occasion of the Knesset to reenter Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s remains on Mount Herzl, Begin delivered this eulogy to his master and teacher. He discusses Jabotinsky’s upbringing, his activities and exile from Palestine, and his influence on Zionism.