Subjects: UN

Our Plan for Peace

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Begin focuses on actions of Israel’s Arab neighbors to show that they do not want lasting peace with Israel. He starts by expressing that both United States and Israel want to increase the momentum towards the peace-making process. Then he shifts to a problem. He talks about how the PLO’s charter includes Hiterlized philosophy. He quotes an article from the Palestinian National Convention. Begin understands that it says that Arabs can return to Palestine and there is not room for Jews. Additionally, the PLO denies the biblical relationship Jews have to the land. He talks about PLO’s terrorism and ultimately says that although Israel does and won’t give up on peace, it cannot have productive talks with an organization whose philosophy is “based on an Arabic ‘Mein Kampf.'” Begin shifts to talk about Israel’s participation in the Geneva Peace Conference. He concludes with mentioning what Israel will do if the PLO is allowed to participate in the Geneva Conference.

The Underground Arises to Overthrow the British

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A reprinting of a chapter from Begin’s book, THE REVOLT, which appeared as part of a series of reprints of Begin’s book in the New York Post. Begin describes the two most pressing issues facing the Jews during WW2: the Nazi Holocaust and the British closure of Palestine Jews fleeing the Holocaust. This closure made the revolt inevitable. The Etzel had no desire for any conflict with the Arabs of Palestine and warned them to not interfere with the fight against the British. Some Arabs even helped the Irgun in the revolt. It was only after the UN decided to partition Palestine that the Arabs rose up against the Jews. The British thought they were ‘omnipotent’ and therefore a revolt which they could not suppress would be a terrible blow to their prestige, and indeed the Etzel’s revolt was such a blow. The Etzel did not want to use violence, but the British regime left it no choice. It was the Etzel’s commitment to morality that led it to triumph over the superior British forces.

Likud Govt’s Vision for Israel

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Begin shares a glimpse at what Israel would look like under the leadership of the Likud party. He discusses the party’s goal for peace and the avoidance of war, balancing Israel’s relationship with the U.S., and the repair of the relationship between France and Israel. He stresses the importance of keeping the territories of Judea and Samaria and protecting Israel from the creation of a Palestinian State. He outlines a government of capitalist socialism and lists several laws he would put into action.

We Can Look Forward With Confidence

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Begin looks forward to future negotiations and the continuing relationship with the US under Jimmy Carter’s presidency. He looks back on the faults of Kissinger as Secretary of State as well as Prime Minister Rabin. He hopes Carter will fulfill his campaign promises of supporting Israel militarily and economically, and ensuring their spot in the UN.

In Courage Lies Our Salvation

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Begin criticizes the Government for acting out of fear, which Begin argues will lead to disaster. Begin then shares that Yitzchak Rabin acted irresponsibly when he announced that Sadat had transferred a third of his army to the reserves. Because of that statement, other countries will be interested in selling arms to Egypt. Begin explains that Sadat transferred soldiers to reserves not because his hopes for peace in the near future, but because of Egypt’s current economic crisis. Sadat is in fear of being overthrown. Begin shifts to talk about the poor relationship between Rabin and Ford. Regarding this land, the Government stated that Jerusalem was liberated and Judea and Samaria were conquered. Begin argues that there should not be a difference between Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria: All was liberated. He concludes with for the sake of Israel’s existence, the Government needs to be courageous and strong.