Subjects: Security

Bullets from Bevin

By

Begin expresses his disagreement regarding the Government asking Britain for heavy arm supplies. He starts with an example of when Britain befriended General Smuts, who was a leading rebel in South Africa when the Queen wanted to conquer the South African republics. In South Africa, Britain wanted to conquer land, while in the Land of Israel, Britain wanted to destroy a nation. Begin discusses that during the War of Independence, Britain provided weapons to the Arab countries that tried to exterminate Israel. Accepting arms from Britain will help the British with their political agenda regarding Israel. Their strategic purposes threaten Israel’s existence.

A Free People–Or a Police State

By

Begin speaks to the Knesset, expressing concern that the Government has not proceeded to formulate a constitution for Israel. He starts with an example to show that without a constitution, the Government can follow laws from the British Mandate. Then Begin explains that currently Israelis do not have privacy, and that their right to privacy will be secure only with a constitution. Additionally, Begin explains that, currently, one is discriminated against if that person is not aligned with Mapai’s views. The mistrust the Government has for its citizens will lead Israel to become a police State. To prevent this, a constitution is necessary. Begin identifies that the people opposing a constitution, also were the people willing to give up part of Eretz Israel. Begin concludes with two options to move forward: the Government begins drafting a constitution, or the Government arranges a plebiscite.

Beigin Sums Up

By

Begin addresses the Knesset focusing on topics important for the future of Israel. Begin first emphasizes the importance for the State to have a constitution. Begin then talks about the condition of Israel’s economy. He specifically talks about the fault of Ben-Gurion depending on Diaspora funds and private capital. Additionally, Begin mentions how the change in currency does not financially benefit Israel; it is simply following England’s lead. Then Begin discusses the issues of unemployment and standard of living. He mentions how the nation is starving, which directly affects labor productivity, which leads to lack of housing for immigrants. Begin touches upon Jews endangered in Arab countries and how Ben-Gurion is not taking any action to protect them. Lastly, Begin goes into detail about the importance of Jerusalem being undivided and the capital for Israel and provides a draft law for Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel.

Speech at Knesset 9.11.49

By

A speech Begin gave at the Knesset in 1949. The Government has been acting very undemocratically in preventing discussion on the writing of a constitution for the new State of Israel. The budget and the deficit of the new State are enormous, putting the economy at risk. Unfortunately there is little concrete investment in Israel and the charity of the Diaspora Jewish communities is not enough. Herut warned of the need to rescue the Jews in Arab countries from anti-Jewish violence and was ignored, and now that the government is finally responding to the problem it may be too late. The Arabs and other nations are making territorial claims against Israel, and Israel should make territorial claims in response, for all of Eretz Israel should be part of Israel by right. The government should resign in light of the above offences and mistakes. The Herut proposes a law for Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel.

Speech by Menachem Begin

By

A speech Begin gave in New York on the first anniversary of the UN resolution to partition Palestine. The resolution was not a ‘gift’ from the nations of the world to the Jews, but the result of the revolt against the British forces in Palestine which forced the British to bring the issue to the UN. The resolution is not enough because it does not grant the Jews all of historical Israel, but it is important as international recognition of the right of the Jews to independence in their homeland. In the new state Begin and his followers will continue to fight for the ideals which they fought for in the underground, but now in the opposition. Without an opposition no country can truly be free. There will be peace, and then the fighters can lay down their arms. Begin ends by crediting Zeev Jabotinsky and his vision for their success and by thanking God for allowing them to live to see this day.