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Speech at Knesset 9.11.49

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A speech Begin gave at the Knesset in 1949. The Government has been acting very undemocratically in preventing discussion on the writing of a constitution for the new State of Israel. The budget and the deficit of the new State are enormous, putting the economy at risk. Unfortunately there is little concrete investment in Israel and the charity of the Diaspora Jewish communities is not enough. Herut warned of the need to rescue the Jews in Arab countries from anti-Jewish violence and was ignored, and now that the government is finally responding to the problem it may be too late. The Arabs and other nations are making territorial claims against Israel, and Israel should make territorial claims in response, for all of Eretz Israel should be part of Israel by right. The government should resign in light of the above offences and mistakes. The Herut proposes a law for Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel.

Government and Opposition

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Begin focuses on the important role of the Opposition party in the Israeli Government. One reason the Opposition is important is because without it, the Government no longer remains power of the people. Although it is more difficult to form a progressive government, it is possible, Begin argues, if the Opposition is included. He shifts to talk about the most recent election and quickly refutes the argument that Mapam is the only opposition party in the Mapai-majority Government. Begin shifts to talk about the true role of the Opposition. He says that “It shall bear no responsibility for the actions of the Government, yet in spite of it, or precisely because of it, shall be a partner in the responsibility for the destiny of the State.” In his conclusion he clarifies that Herut’s position as being the Opposition does not mean criticizing or attacking the Government without reason.

Menachem Beigin’s Message to Rand Memorial Meeting

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Begin recorded a message about Ze’ev Jabotinsky for a South African Revisionist audience. Begin shares Jabotinsky’s simple and great ambition, which was: “Hebrew sovereignty over the whole of the territory of the historic homeland.” Begin mentions a few times that there were “realists” that doubted his idea; however, Israel exists because of Jabotinsky’s aim. In addition to Statehood, Jabotinsky understood the importance of fighting for freedom. Like Jabotinsky, Begin makes a distinction between fighting for freedom and militarism. Fighting for freedom consists of self sacrifice. Begin acknowledges those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. In the end he mentions that although Jabotinsky is still buried in foreign soil, his spirit lives amongst his students—the liberators of the Jewish Homeland.

Irgun Leader Predicts Unity in Palestine with Brotherhood Among Jews and Arabs

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A summation of a speech Begin gave at the Waldorf-Astpria Hotel in the New York Times. Begin believed that after all of Eretz Israel was liberated Jews and Arabs live in peace and harmony and the fighters would be able spend their time tilling the land instead. He wants to secure a sound economic future for those who fought for Israel. His Herut Party favors a complete separation of powers and the establishment of all civil rights. He denounces the Bernadotte Plan as a British plot and calls on all invading armies to leave Eretz Israel. He then joins in a toast to David Ben-Gurion.

Speech by Menachem Begin

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A speech Begin gave in New York on the first anniversary of the UN resolution to partition Palestine. The resolution was not a ‘gift’ from the nations of the world to the Jews, but the result of the revolt against the British forces in Palestine which forced the British to bring the issue to the UN. The resolution is not enough because it does not grant the Jews all of historical Israel, but it is important as international recognition of the right of the Jews to independence in their homeland. In the new state Begin and his followers will continue to fight for the ideals which they fought for in the underground, but now in the opposition. Without an opposition no country can truly be free. There will be peace, and then the fighters can lay down their arms. Begin ends by crediting Zeev Jabotinsky and his vision for their success and by thanking God for allowing them to live to see this day.