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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.

Warning and Call to the Polish Leaders

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Begin discusses at length the continuing anti-Semitism present in European nations, particularly in Poland, expressed currently through anti-Zionism. He details the threat of communist nations to Jews and calls for Poland to let its Jewish inhabitants make aliyah in peace.

Israel Must Stand Firm On All Fronts

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Begin addresses Jewish journalists from the Diaspora. He explains that after Israel succeeded in defensive wars, it should not be held accountable to readily make concessions. Begin argues that Israel’s enemies want to destroy Israel. He also comments on the importance of aliyah.

Menachem Begin on Israeli Chauvinism and Aliya

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Excerpts from a speech Begin gave at the World Conference of Zionist leaders after the Six Day War. Begin questions why the conference has not properly addressed the “urgency of the revolutionary hour” after the Six Day War, when Israel’s existence was threatened by the massive build-up of Arab Armies on its borders and won a great victory, taking back the land of Western Eretz Israel. He questions those who accuse Zionists of ‘chauvinism’ when Frenchmen and Poles are allowed to love their lands and express joy that they have reclaimed lost territory. Begin then says that although Israel has a large Jewish majority, a mass aliyah from countries like the USA is necessary to maintain that majority. Israel’s future depends on such an aliyah.

Menachem Begin’s Stirring Message of Hope and Faith

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The conclusion of Begin’s speech regarding Israel’s right to retain territories liberated in the Six-Day War. Here, he focuses on maintaining a Jewish majority in Israel through encouraging aliyah and a strong national unity government in order to persevere. Part 3 of 3.