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Begin on future of Herut Party

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A speech by Begin to a Betar conference in South Africa in 1953. Begin is proud of the delegates to the conference for their allegiance and dedication. He says that Herut must not give up on the goal of a constitution for Israel, even if the idea is unpopular, because it is a necessity. Begin rejects the usage of the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’ as applied to political parties, as they were developed arbitrarily. He argues that Herut will defend the middle class from Mapai’s attempts to destroy it. Herut must be a party for all Jews in Israel. Herut supports the supremacy of the law and the independence of the judiciary. Herut is against the concept of civil marriages because it would lead to two different societies in Israel. The road for Betar and Herut may be long and hard, but their members should remember that Jabotinsky did not live to see the creation of the State of Israel either. They may yet achieve their goals despite their hardships.

Menachem Begin Answers the Questions People are Asking

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While Begin is on tour in Latin America, he participants in an interview with “Die Yiddishe Zeitung.” The interview starts with discussing the important role Diaspora Jews have in Israeli policies, and specifically references to the Jewish-German financial agreement. Begin shares that while being in the Irgun, he viewed himself as a politician and today, as a politician, he also views himself as a fighter. Begin speaks about the importance of liberating the Homeland in its entirety, and that this can be possible with favorable foreign policy. There is a question regarding the relationship between the current Government and the decrease of immigration and Begin mentions that he wants to receive immigrants from both the USA and North African countries. Lastly, Begin speaks about Jabotinsky’s ability to have both logic and warm feelings; therefore, revisionism, like its leader is both a political theory and temperament.

If Menachem Begin Were Prime Minister of Israel

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Begin was asked by the Israeli newspaper “Yediot Acharonot” what he would do if he became Prime Minister. Begin first responds saying that he would create a Government that does not have Mapai domination. He then mentions the actions he would take regarding foreign policy and the education system. Begin strongly states that he would end direct contact with Germany. He also would work hard to fight discrimination and to protect the State’s laws with the State’s Constitution. He concludes by going into detail about strengthening the economy.

Israel Will Yet Be Wholly Free

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Begin speaks about the liberation of the Homeland in its entirety. He first emphasizes the mutually exclusivity between the concentration of the Jewish nation and the liberation of the Homeland. He talks about the Jewish Agency’s efforts to partition the Homeland. Begin then focuses on what needs to happen to liberate the rest of the Homeland. The conditions are the desire to liberate and political circumstances. He shifts his attention to David Ben Gurion’s and Moshe Sharett’s method of foreign policy. Begin argues that they and the Government “persist in the belief that diplomacy is identified not with wisdom but with bluff…” This threatens the potential for the Homeland to be completely liberated, and therefore, it is up to the people of Israel to hold on strongly to the hope for freedom.

U.S. Editor Sees Menachem Begin As “The Man Of The Hour”

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In this interview, Begin speaks about the Government and Israel’s relationship with both the U.S. and Germany. Begin first talks about the recent meeting he had with New York Board of Rabbis. During this meeting Begin spoke honestly by explaining the Government’s harsh reactions when Herut held a demonstration against the Government’s decision to negotiate with Germany. Begin recalls asking the rabbis to support Herut’s position and that the rabbis agreed. Then the interview speaks about anti-Semitism and shifts to Begin expressing hope in Herut gaining power so that Israel can be a true democracy. Currently, though, Mapai is in control and Begin provides examples to show the lack of democracy in Mapai’s actions. Then Begin discusses that Israel succeeds in war because of God’s guidance, not merely because of numbers. This leads to Begin sharing his agreement in the creation of the Sanherin in Israel. The interview ends with Begin expressing concern towards Soviet Jews.