Subjects: Levi Eshkol

In Israel There Must Be a Sobering-Up

By

Begin focuses on his disagreements with the Jarring Mission. First, he talks about the Israeli Government, which Gahal is no longer part of. He talks about how it was a problematic for the Government to use the word “withdrawal” when wanting peace with Arab neighbors. Such words led to Jarring’s two principles for permanent peace which lead to the UN Resolution 242. Begin believes that the Government put themselves in this situation. Regardless, Begin also believes that Jarring’s principles do not give the Arab nations any obligations. He believes that although they will claim that they already have acknowledged the sovereignty, the integrity, and the independence of Israel, their actions do not show it. Because of the 3 no’s, Arab nations insisted to meet separately and to not have direct negotiations. Jarring agreed to this. Begin hopes that Jarring and others will realize that the Arab nations are bluffing when saying they want peace with Israel.

Chiefs of the Pre-State Resistance Looks Back

By

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.

Let Us Not Lose This Great Hour!

By

On the occasion of Rosh Hashanah 1967, MK Begin wrote an article describing the momentousness of the Israeli victory in the Six-Day War. In it, he calls on the Israeli government to adopt territorial changes, arguing that Judea, Samaria and Gaza were seized in 1967 as part of a defensive war and, therefore, need not be returned. He ends with a call to speed up the ingathering of the exiles to Israel.

Israel’s Hope Lies in A Change of Regime

By

Begin criticizes the current government, and specifically Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, for its inability to deal with issues of aliyah, emigration, and unemployment. He states that “it is the mission of this State to bring our exiles together, to congregate those who were scattered.” However, due to unemployment, there has been a major decrease in aliyah and an increase in emigration.

No Tashkent Spirit in the Middle East

By

This extract of a speech Begin made in front of the Knesset focuses on the mistakes the Government as made in regards to Israeli security. Begin first criticizes Levi Eshkol for not taking seriously the threats made by Arabs. Eshkol is deluding Israelis and the world. Unlike Eshkol and Uri Avneri, Begin finds it important to publicize that Fatah is renewing guerilla war against Israel. Then Begin speaks about the Arab nations in the Middle East getting arms from Russia and the U.S. He rejects the U.S. decision to create a balance of arms in the Middle East. Begin comments upon the instability Israelis feel and concludes that reality shows that Eshkol and his Government are unfit for leading the country.