Subjects: Zionist Organization

A Blow for Democracy

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Begin focuses on Yitzchak Rabin’s undemocratic stand that the chairman of the Jewish Agency (the Zionist Organization) must be part of the Labor Party. Party membership is the important factor, not valuable qualifications and experience. Begin gives examples showing that this has not happened in other democratic countries. Begin talks about Labor Party spokesmen’s reactions when a candidate for the Chairman of the Jewish Agency chose to not enter his candidacy in the name of a political party. They identified him as being part of Likud and said they would do their best to prevent his election. Begin argues that by having party membership be the important factor for the position as chairman is “a blow against democracy in Israel.”

The Great Change in U.S. Jewry

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Begin shares the address he made to the National Press Club during his visit to the United States. He first discusses World War II and how no nation attempted to save European Jews. This leads him to justify why Israel takes seriously every threat made towards Israel. A recent threat Begin mentions was when Israel wasn’t on a map the London Times published. Begin explains that currently Israel’s neighbors will find any excuse to attack, just like what happened in the Yom Kippur War. Begin shifts to explain five actions that could lead to real peace. To explain his distrust towards “international guarantees,” he speaks of what happened in Vietnam after an international guarantee was made. Begin speaks about American Jewry, specifically the youth. Lastly, Begin shares his observation that there is a great change amongst American Jews: In addition to financially supporting Israel, they now feel it’s their duty to take political action.

Message for the Zionist Membership Drive

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A message Begin delivered to the membership drive of the World Zionist Congress. After the Six Day War Israel liberated Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. This fits with the ideology that the Herut Movement has always preached. Herut has also won a long-standing ideological victory on its consistent stance that there should be a massive aliyah from the Soviet Union.

We Have Served Our People Well

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Begin sends a message to the delegates at Johannesburg’s National Conference of the Zionist Revisionist Organization. In this message Begin acknowledges the victories the disciples of Ze’ev Jabotinsky have fought for, despite the harsh opposition. He says that there is still a struggle for the Jewish Homeland, and that they must continue to devote their lives for serving the cause. He concludes that their generation has seen great suffering and that before they leave, they must make sure Israel is safe and secure.

Chiefs of the Pre-State Resistance Looks Back

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Begin participates in a discussion led by Geulah Cohen with other key actors (Moshe Sneh, Nathan Yellin-Mor, Haim Landau, Shimon Peres, Eliezer Livneh, Shmuel Katz, and Ya’acov Riftin) about the pre-State resistance. Begin first speaks about the United Resistance Movement and argues against Moshe Sneh’s statement that the Haganah always fought against the British regime. He acknowledges that illegal immigration led by the Haganah was an important form of resistance, but not armed resistance. In fact, the Haganah assisted the British regime in the attempt to liquidate the Underground during “the season”. Begin returns to speak about the United Resistance Movement, and about the King David Hotel operation. Begin also shares how the British government was not interested in stopping the annihilation of European Jews during the Holocaust. The discussion closes with disagreement about what happened with Altalena and the mistrust Haganah leaders had towards the Underground’s intentions.