Subjects: UN

How We Became a Free People

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Begin reflects on the special UN session convening to discuss the question of Eretz Israel. He argues that this session was called for as a result of Etzel’s consistent revolt against the British. He shares how Ernest Bevin submitted his partition solution in January of 1947, and while the Arabs completely rejected this idea, the Jewish Agency representatives discussed ways this solution could be amended. Begin continues the story that Bevin rejected the amendments. Begin recalls that on March 1, 1947, Etzel blew up the British Officers’ Club, which led to Britain requesting for the special UN session. Begin remembers that Russia’s Foreign Minister exclaimed that it is time for the Jewish people to have self-sovereignty in Eretz Israel. Begin concludes by quoting what was said to the Etzel soldiers prior to their domino-effect attack.

Unity Based on Freedom

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Begin argues that Israel suffered a political defeat in the UN Security Council. He discusses that based on the Security Council resolution initiated by the U.S., the Israel-U.S. relationship remains the same. The U.S. has always based its attitude and policies towards Israel on ethnographic, geographic, economic, and diplomatic reasons. France, on the other hand, did not vote in favor for the resolution because they see Israel as a friend and an ally. He then makes a clear point: “We are not interested in killing Arabs. But if one of these days such a number of Arabs arises, from near or far, with the intention of killing us and destroying the State of Israel, the outcome will assuredly be their death, and the continued existence of the people of the State of Israel.” Begin concludes by expressing the significance of the Knesset adopting a joint initiative resolution which denies any moral authority to the recent Security Council resolution.

Flaws in the Peace Move

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In the “Herut” newspaper, Begin argues that the draft of a UN resolution calling for direct negotiations between Arabs and Israel will not lead to positive results. There would be a stalemate in regards to the Arab refugee question. Furthermore, it would be a delusion of Arab nations recognizing Israel. To strengthen his argument, he references to the U.S. still refusing to recognize Communist China even after years of direct negations. He reminds his readers that an overwhelming majority of UN members opposed or abstained from voting for this resolution. With this, Begin concludes that such results show that the world accepts the irregular relationship between Arabs and Israel.

Dangerous Decision

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Begin discusses the U.S. resolution presented to the UN regarding Arab refugees and how it was a mistake for Israel to vote in favor of it. Begin first shares some of the resolution and poses the question: Is the American resolution to Israel’s advantage? In this resolution, the responsibly for solving the problem solely falls onto Israel. Another reason why it was faulty for Israel to vote for the resolution is because the Conciliation Commission is entitled to interpret the resolution. Then he shares Herut’s argument that Israel should ask that the property abandoned by Jewish refugees from Arab lands be taken into consideration. Begin argues that there is a possibility of the UN infringing on Israel’s sovereignty, which no other nation would allow. He concludes that unlike the Israel delegation’s vote in the UN, the well majority of the Knesset voted that Arab refugees cannot be returned and that they must settle in the Arab States

We Could Abstain

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Begin addresses what attitude Israel should hold towards South Africa. He first speaks about the end of the colonialism era and its complications. Begin then shares his encounter with apartheid during his visit to South Africa. He believes that there is nothing uglier than human degradation. Begin reminds its readers that nations from the East and the West are protesting against this degradation, however, when Jews were persecuted, they were silent. Begin then criticizes Ben Gurion for expressing his support in South Africa’s Opposition party. He then shares the repercussions for Ben Gurion’s actions, a main one being the loss of foreign relations and interests, which is dangerous while existing in a world where Israel has many enemies and few friends. Begin concludes by mentioning that in a recent UN vote, Israel’s delegation should have abstained.