Subjects: Linguistics

There Can Be No Greater Danger to Our Future

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Begin speaks about how dangerous the concept of a Palestinian entity is for Israel’s existence. He first reflects on the terror attack that took place at the Munich Olympics—sharing how both Israelis and Arabs felt. He explains that what happened in Lod and Munich are ways to commit genocide, not liberate a nation. He shifts to speak about his disagreement with Zionist Palestinianists and speaks about Palestinian and Zionist land claims. Then Begin expresses shame towards Professor Talmon’s inaccurate comparison of Israel to Nazi Germany. In addition to shame, in his conclusion, Begin shares arguments to counter such comparison.

There is a Crisis in Gahal

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Begin goes into detail about the recent crisis happening between the Herut-Liberal Bloc. The Liberal Party abandoned the Bloc and collaborated with the Labor Party on a draft bill proposed by the Labor Party. This draft bill was “to change the present electoral system” starting from the Ninth Knesset. Herut members expressed to Liberal Party members that voting to give the draft bill a Knesset majority would hurt the Herut-Liberal Bloc. Liberal Party members assured that there would not be a majority; however, they lied. After there was a majority of 61 votes, Liberal Party members expressed no remorse because it was a principle of theirs to alter the electoral system. That is why they negotiated with the Labor Party. Begin then goes into what the future will look like now that the Government has an absolute majority. It will take years before there can be an alternative party leading Israel’s Government. This threatens the notion that Israel is a democracy.

The 1972 Jabotinsky Ferment Among the Jews of Russia

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Begin focuses on the importance of Jews immigrating to Israel from Russia. He describes Russian Jews reading and deeply connecting with Jabotinsky’s writings about the relationship between Jews and Eretz Israel. Then Begin reflects on his commitment to bringing Russian Jews to Israel. He remembers that Russia’s ambassador to Israel telling him that the Russian Jews will not vote for Begin’s party because they are coming for a socialist country. Begin strongly responded that the main thing is to allow them to come. He then talks about how Russian Jews and Herut have similarities. Then Begin argues against the claim that Russian Jews will see the State as fascist. He explains that it is clear the State is a democracy because there are many political parties and in Israel, one can vote for whichever party he wants, because he is a free man.

Rogers Plan Will Not Bring Peace

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This article summarizes and quotes Begin’s address to the Knesset after Golda Meir announces Gahal’s resignation from the Cabinet. The reason for Gahal returning to be the Opposition party is because of the Cabinet’s decision to consider withdrawing without peace agreements. He shares how Gunnar Jarring’s letter of appointment was not constructed with the help of Israel. He also shares that he believes that there was and is an alternative to signing such document. Begin argues that by signing the document, it will not bring peace but rather prolong bloodshed. He concludes that Israel “returned to Jerusalem not by right of victory but by the victory of right—and let it be known throughout the world: Our right is eternal.”

We Bow Our Heads to You

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Begin expresses his praise towards Jews living in Communist Russia. He says: “without the slightest exaggeration that in our day they are the bravest of all of those fighting for human freedom and dignity.” He describes that returning to Judaism, learning Hebrew, and having the dream to return to Zion keep their souls safe from communists. Furthermore, he says that Jewry’s moral hegemony belongs to Russian Jewry. Begin mentions the torture inflicted by the Communists and that bravery is infective. He also mentions that fear is infective and reflects on Jewish fear during the Holocaust. He claims that this fear no longer exists. With perseverance, Russia eventually will have to permit Russian Jews to immigrate to Israel.