Subjects: Six-Day War

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.

We Shall Create a New Era

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Begin addresses a crowd in Johannesburg focusing on Israel’s enemies. He first shares what Arab leaders said about their hopes for Israel in both the War of Independence and Six-Day War. Begin then brings up the claim that the verbal hatred from those Arab leaders is merely domestic propaganda that does not need to be taken seriously. This leads Begin to speak about how the propaganda from Nazi Germany was not taken seriously by people and as a result, the Holocaust happened. Additionally Begin speaks about peace treaties between countries after the First and Second World Wars to make the point that the aggressors were not given land back. This relates to his argument that Israel has no reason to give back land that was gained from the defensive war in 1967. He references back to the delay of action by countries to rescue Jews from the death chambers, and so Begin argues that Israel needs to rely on herself and not trust the opinions of other nations.

The Jarring Mission

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Begin describes the recent struggles within the Government. He first discusses the U.S. -Israel relationship and how it needs constant clarification. However, positive change in the relationship happened. Begin describes the decisions made in 1970 regarding Dr. Gunnar Jarring’s peace efforts based on the Rogers Initiative. Ultimately, the U.S. agreed with Israel’s views, including William Rogers. Begin then shares that in Rabin’s most recent trip to Israel, he did not visit his superior, Foreign Minister Abba Eban. A reason for this could be because documents Rabin marked as “Top Secret” were handed over for publication. Begin contemplates who could have leaked the documents and believes it is a national scandal with serious international repercussions. Begin then goes into more detail how it is problematic that Ministers publically share their voting decisions. Begin fears that “administration which acts in this matter is endangering the foundations of Israel’s statehood.”

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.

Egypt Counted on a Hesitant Israel in 67

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Begin discusses the leadup to the Six-Day War, particularly the fact that the Arab nations believed their victory was assured. He also comments on some of the dangers Israel faced in delaying the war, and draws comparisons to the Arab reactions to the terror attack at Lod Airport.