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Bad in Concept and in Aim

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Begin discusses Levi Eshkol’s compulsory loan motion in “Herut.” Although Herut warned other parties that this was a bad law, the majority of the Knesset voted in its favor. Begin explains why this proposal is extremely faulty for Israel’s citizens. He argues that Mapai is lowering the standard of living and that a forced loan plan simply adds tax upon tax. Begin acknowledges that in states of emergency, a government will borrow from its citizens without permission. In Israel, though, the Government has done exactly this, except two times in a single year—one for the sake of new immigrants, and the other in hopes to discontinue the economic inflation. Begin concludes that the Government’s actions in both situations are not viable solutions.

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.

Our Right to National Self Defence

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Begin writes in “Herut” about the current Syrian aggression and how Israel should respond. He first suggests for Israel to counter-attack only when Israel will choose the place and time. He criticizes the denial of any Knesset debate regarding the Syrian aggression and then he responds to the argument that Israel retaliated out of proportion. In this response, he provides an example of when Russia shot down an American spy pilot to show that if Russia can use all military means on a spy plane in the name of self-defense, then Israel should be allowed to self-defend against an aggressive neighbor. He shifts to argue how the “Davar” newspaper would have negatively responded to Israel’s recent counter-attack if Herut was in power. Begin concludes in honoring the Hebrew soldier and that their blood spilt in a battle is never spilt in vain.

Who in Israel Lives Above His Means

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Begin addresses the Government’s failure in preventing currency devaluation. He explains that the Government encourages its citizens to just tell themselves that “every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.” Begin argues that this mantra is not productive when it comes to economic policies. Furthermore, he argues that devaluation has sped up as a result of Mapai. He shifts to speak about property owners and the faulty solutions the Government suggested. Begin emphasizes how ordinary people are in debt of 30,000-50,000IL. He also shares how Levi Eshkol, the Minister of Finance, reached out to French non-Jews in hopes of them helping prevent Israel from turning into “wandering Jews.” Begin then shifts to discuss David Ben Gurion’s delayed observation that “there are many families without the barest minimum needed for existence.” Begin concludes that while people are living below minimum, Ben Gurion is living generously and is, therefore, leading with maximum hypocrisy.