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The Operational Agreement between the Haganah and the Irgun Zvai Leumi

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The Etzel and the Haganah reached an operational agreement so as to have unity during the fight for Israel’s independence. Negotiations for such an agreement had been underway since the UN vote for partition. Etzel positions are to be placed under Haganah authority, and the Etzel is to carry out operations approved by the Haganah or assigned by them. The Etzel is not to be disarmed. No seizure of funds is to occur in Jewish controlled areas. Otherwise the Etzel is free to raise funds. Seizure of arms is to be coordinated between the organizations.

Irgun Commander in Stirring Appeal to America

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An appeal to Americans in the “Irgun Press” for aid shortly before the declaring of the State of Israel. The Jews of Eretz Israel can still defeat their opponents, though the hour of reckoning is fast approaching. If they fail they will die. In Eretz Israel one man must do the work of many. When the fighters of Eretz Israel are doing so much it is not right that in America people should be going about their business as usual. The fighting Jews of Eretz Israel need arms and money. They need $1,000,000. If the money does not come soon it will be not only too late but worthless. Time is of the essense.

Meet the Press Interview with Menachem Begin 1948

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An interview Begin gave on Meet the Press in New York in 1948. Begin apologizes for his poor English. He is in America on a goodwill mission on behalf of those who fought for liberation against the British and will be returning to Israel before the elections for the constituent assembly, in which he is running on the Herut list. Etzel turned its guns over to the Israeli government when told to and will not raise any arms against a Jewish government. Begin did not meet Col. David Marcus, but he considers him to be a hero and a great commander. Herut has members from Israel’s non-Jewish minorities and does not have a policy of racial exclusion. The UN has utterly failed to live up to its vision, but Begin prays it will become the organization it was meant to be. Herut does not object to the Histadrut or any other labor unions existing, but it does object to the Histadrut also employing the workers in addition to being a union.

Jerusalem Our Capital

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An article by Begin about Jerusalem during the summer of the War of Independence. Begin begins by waxing poetic about Jerusalem and the sacrifices that were necessary to defend and secure the city. By not falling, Jerusalem kept the rest of Israel from falling as well and gave hope to the Jewish fighters. The UN will meet to discuss giving Jerusalem to Transjordan or to make it an international city, neither of which must be allowed to occur. Jerusalem belongs to the Jews. The fight for Jerusalem and the survival of the state still rages both on the battlefield and in the political arena. The greatest victory was driving the British from the land, but they continue to be an obstacle by being largely responsible for the Bernadotte plan, which is very similar to the rejected Peel plan of 1937. Despite these obstacles, Israel will be victorious and claim its entire historic homeland. Then a free, equal, and just society will live in Israel.

Israel Has Risen

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A call to all Israelis, especially the Israeli youth, at the occasion of the founding of the State. The rule of the British in Palestine is over and the State of Israel has risen in its place. It could not come about without trials of blood, sweat, and tears. Even before the institutions for the State have been set up it has come under attack. To fight this threat Israel needs weapons, spirit, and brains. Israel will need to pursue a foreign policy of reciprocity and friendship with all nations that recognize it. Inside Israel all must enjoy freedom and security, even non-Jews. Now that there is a Jewish State there is no need for an underground any longer. However, if the government becomes tyrannical a new underground may arise. The Hebrew youth have fought heroically with the spirit of the ancient and modern Jewish heroes like the Maccabees and Joseph Trumpeldor. They will go forth to victory, ensuring that the entire Jewish homeland is free.