Subjects: Justice

Statement at a Press Conference 19.09.1948

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A press release by Begin as head of the Opposition party, Tenuat Haherut, after the assassination of a UN representative by radical Zionists in Jerusalem. Tenuat Haherut does not participate in the unelected government of the new state but still feels responsible for the well-being and future of the state and therefore must comment on recent events. Britain bears indirect responsibility for the assassination by discrediting the UN as an international organization. The Provisional Government of Israel also bears indirect responsibility for the assassination because it acts cowardly towards the world but tyrannical towards Jews within its borders, both of which are causing the rise of a new underground. Tenuat Haherut is against the killing and the rise of a new underground, and calls on all Jews in Israel to unite against their enemies and for the world to treat Israel justly.

Jerusalem Our Capital

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An article by Begin about Jerusalem during the summer of the War of Independence. Begin begins by waxing poetic about Jerusalem and the sacrifices that were necessary to defend and secure the city. By not falling, Jerusalem kept the rest of Israel from falling as well and gave hope to the Jewish fighters. The UN will meet to discuss giving Jerusalem to Transjordan or to make it an international city, neither of which must be allowed to occur. Jerusalem belongs to the Jews. The fight for Jerusalem and the survival of the state still rages both on the battlefield and in the political arena. The greatest victory was driving the British from the land, but they continue to be an obstacle by being largely responsible for the Bernadotte plan, which is very similar to the rejected Peel plan of 1937. Despite these obstacles, Israel will be victorious and claim its entire historic homeland. Then a free, equal, and just society will live in Israel.

Israel Has Risen

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A call to all Israelis, especially the Israeli youth, at the occasion of the founding of the State. The rule of the British in Palestine is over and the State of Israel has risen in its place. It could not come about without trials of blood, sweat, and tears. Even before the institutions for the State have been set up it has come under attack. To fight this threat Israel needs weapons, spirit, and brains. Israel will need to pursue a foreign policy of reciprocity and friendship with all nations that recognize it. Inside Israel all must enjoy freedom and security, even non-Jews. Now that there is a Jewish State there is no need for an underground any longer. However, if the government becomes tyrannical a new underground may arise. The Hebrew youth have fought heroically with the spirit of the ancient and modern Jewish heroes like the Maccabees and Joseph Trumpeldor. They will go forth to victory, ensuring that the entire Jewish homeland is free.

Begin outlines economicand social program

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A speech Begin gave in America during the mid-1950s. The essence is democracy is that the rulers change from time to time, and by questioning that principle the government is acting totalitarian. On the political front, if Herut came to power, it would form a constitution. A constitution is necessary to set limits on what the government can do and explicitly tell the citizens their rights and responsibilities. On the social plane Begin favors a free market approach with some government intervention to help narrow the gaps. Herut would work towards the famous ‘5 Mems.’ On the economic lane, Begin focuses on the Histadrut, and how he would break up the monopoly of the Histadrut the way trusts are broken up in America in order to ensure the success of free enterprise and the flow of investment. He would not force the disbandment of any labor unions, as they are necessary to ensure that workers have a high enough standard of living to be consumers.