Subjects: Levi Eshkol

Nothing Takes Precedence Over the State’s Security and Honour

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Begin addresses the Knesset, explaining that the motion of no confidence in the Government is a result of the Dayan-Lavon affair. He first speaks of the importance of ethics of security and it is for that reason the Opposition did not attack the Government during the most recent elections. He discusses the danger the country now faces with foreign secret service. Begin argues that he knew the lies related to the Lavon affair would break out. However, he questions why Moshe Dayan chose to wait until now. Begin counter-argues the justification that Dayan’s actions were done out of anger. Then Begin shifts into his reasoning for vote in no confidence and concludes that there are two alternatives: either Dayan or the Government will resign.

Begin Calls On Judge to Retract

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Begin criticizes Justice Chaim Cohen for equating the rabbinical decision for the “Who is a Jew?” debate with the Nuremberg Laws. Begin first reminds his readers that it was David Ben-Gurion who introduced such hypocritical rhetoric. Begin argues that it is neither racialist nor Hitlerist for Jews to have negative feelings towards today’s Germany. Begin speaks against accepting reparations from Germany. He then shifts to the incident at the “American – Israel Dialogue” event in Jerusalem, where Judge Cohen compared the decision of “Who is a Jew?” to a “racialistic approach propagated by the Nazis.” Begin quotes what Judge Cohen said and then argues why Judge Cohen’s words were completely inaccurate. Begin provides an example of when Churchill retracted a statement he once made, and then requests for Judge Cohen to do the same—retract his words.

Bad in Concept and in Aim

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Begin discusses Levi Eshkol’s compulsory loan motion in “Herut.” Although Herut warned other parties that this was a bad law, the majority of the Knesset voted in its favor. Begin explains why this proposal is extremely faulty for Israel’s citizens. He argues that Mapai is lowering the standard of living and that a forced loan plan simply adds tax upon tax. Begin acknowledges that in states of emergency, a government will borrow from its citizens without permission. In Israel, though, the Government has done exactly this, except two times in a single year—one for the sake of new immigrants, and the other in hopes to discontinue the economic inflation. Begin concludes that the Government’s actions in both situations are not viable solutions.

Who in Israel Lives Above His Means

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Begin addresses the Government’s failure in preventing currency devaluation. He explains that the Government encourages its citizens to just tell themselves that “every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.” Begin argues that this mantra is not productive when it comes to economic policies. Furthermore, he argues that devaluation has sped up as a result of Mapai. He shifts to speak about property owners and the faulty solutions the Government suggested. Begin emphasizes how ordinary people are in debt of 30,000-50,000IL. He also shares how Levi Eshkol, the Minister of Finance, reached out to French non-Jews in hopes of them helping prevent Israel from turning into “wandering Jews.” Begin then shifts to discuss David Ben Gurion’s delayed observation that “there are many families without the barest minimum needed for existence.” Begin concludes that while people are living below minimum, Ben Gurion is living generously and is, therefore, leading with maximum hypocrisy.

America as an Ally – Meet the Press

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Prime Minister Begin answers questions from members of the American press on “NBC” about the implications of a possible deal to sell AWACS planes to Saudi Arabia, Israeli obligations to America as their ally in the face of retaliating against PLO attacks from southern Lebanon, and the possibility of a national unity government headed by Herut.