Subjects: Linguistics

No Return to Armistice Lines

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At a conference for Jewish Diaspora leaders, Begin expresses the importance of Israel to maintain the land gained from the Six-Day War, and not retreat. He first shares what Nasser, Atassi, Aref, and Hussein said about Israel prior to the Six-Day War. He connects their aggression to that of Germans. He then explains that according to international law, there are two phases after a defensive war is won. The first phase is prior to a peace treaty and the second phase is the negotiation period, which concludes with a peace agreement. He provides examples of peace treaties that occurred after the first and second world wars to show that the aggressors always lose territory. Regarding concern for lack of a Jewish majority in the Homeland and diplomacy, Begin says that they must not be afraid. He speaks about El Fatah and argues that they use methods of genocide. He uses Jewish text to reiterate that the Land of Israel is the land of Jewish ancestors and forefathers.

We Shall Not Be Denied the Fruits of Our Victory

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Begin focuses on the land Israel gained from the 1967 war. He argues that Israel was not the aggressor and to prove this, he provides the definition of an aggressor in an international conflict. Then he shows how Arab nations were the aggressors, according to the definition he provided. Begin then discusses the international law that an aggressor does not have a right to the land it lost with or without a peace treaty. He then talks about the physical size of Israel and how Israel cannot jeopardize its national security and does not want more Israeli bloodshed. He reflects on the massive bloodshed of Jews during the Holocaust and how powerful countries allowed it to happen. He wants Israel to have freedom of fear, freedom from want, and freedom from danger of destruction. He talks about how the Jewish-Christian relations will become stronger. Additionally, he has hopes for better Jewish-Muslim relations.

Loyal Opposition – Positive Role in Israeli Politics

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An op-ed in the Jewish chronicle by Begin about the purpose of and need for an opposition in a democracy. So-called ‘one-party democracies’ are just autocracies called by a nicer name in the west for political expediency. Herut has had to do more than just oppose the government because of the unique threats and challenges Israel faces. Herut took the lead in several important policy initiatives, such as Israel’s alliance with France, the issue of Arab refugees from the War of Independence, and the issue of German scientists helping the Egyptians produce powerful and destructive weapons. It is also important for Herut to constantly seek to replace the government because otherwise it would allow Israel to become a “one-party democracy.” It is imperative that another party eventually win control of the government to allow democracy to work as it is supposed to.

It is Only a Passing Quarrel

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Begin explains his resignation as Chairman of the Herut Movement. He says it is because of the defeat of the Herut-Liberal Bloc in the Sixth Knesset elections. Then Begin goes into detail about his frustrations towards Herut members’ actions against him. There was a theory constructed without Begin’s knowledge: If Herut is divided in opinion over who should be elevated and who demoted to office, then the chairman of the Movement (meaning Begin) would have to be a referee. A referee does not give his input. In Begin’s conclusion, he expresses hope for Herut members to stop acting like “pampered children.”

We Shall Return to the Heritage of our Ancestors

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Begin expresses the importance of unity of the Motherland. He argues that the Jewish people have a historic and eternal right to the land. If the land becomes Israel’s, “it will not be foreign soil that we shall be occupying; but we shall be returning to the heritage of our ancestors.” He believes that this concept should be accepted by the whole Zionist movement. However, currently this is not the case, even with Herut’s partner, the Israel Liberal Party. Begin stresses that Gahal (the Herut-Liberal Bloc) cannot become one unified party unless the Liberal Party agrees with Herut on this principle. However, Begin also stresses that he finds Gahal’s existence important, especially when talking about the current Government under the Mapai regime.