Since I became a disciple of Jabotinsky at the age of 15—it is now fifty years ago—I learned from him, and believe this with all my heart, that Eretz Yisrael belongs to all the Jewish people and not only to that portion of our people that lives here. However, it is my duty to state … Continued
After Shimon Peres addresses the Knesset as the leader of the opposition, Begin addresses the Knesset to close the debate and to receive confidence in the government from the Knesset. Begin criticizes Peres for the aggressive tone he spoke and that he will get used to not being the ruling party. He also reflects on the change within the country that led to Likud getting majority votes. Members from the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality argue with Begin about the future peace options with surrounding Arab nations. Begin then concludes the debate and the vote happens with 63 in favor and 53 against.
A television interview for ABC News. After he is elected but before he assumes office Begin already faces disagreements with the Carter Administration, with Clark and Seamans asking about those disagreements and his commitment to peace. Carter says Israel should withdraw from nearly all of the territories captured in 1967 while Begin says Judea and Samaria are integral and permanent part of Israel and there is existential danger in giving them up. Begin insists he is willing to negotiate peace with all Arab countries but not the PLO. When challenged over possibly losing American economic and military aid Begin counters that the relationship with America is mutually beneficial. Israel is keeping Communism out of the Middle East, Begin says.
Begin blames the current government for inflation and repeated labour conflicts. He accuses them of leaking secrets to the public and being unprofessional and using the Koenig memorandum to irritate the Arab citizens of Israel. He blames Rabin for making Israel look bad in the public eye to the rest of the world.
Begin reacts to being regarded as an extremist by Rabin during a Knesset meeting by publishing segments of the speech that was criticized as extreme. He discusses the event in Hebron in which Jewish people while they were praying were dragged from the synagogue on Government orders to show that this event was extreme, and his words were not. He turns the tables and accuses members of the Labor Party of being extremists themselves in the sense that they are willing to give up Israeli territory.
