Menachem Begin: A Pioneering Leader in Israeli History
- David Fisher
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 21
On June 22 1982, Joe Biden was a Senator from Delaware and confronted Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin during his Senate Foreign Relations committee testimony, threatening to cut off aid to Israel.
Begin forcefully responded,
Don’t threaten us with cutting off your aid. It will not work. I am not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of civilized history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens. Nobody came to our aid when we were striving to create our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We died for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. And, when necessary, we will die for them again, with or without your aid.
Menachem Begin remains a complex figure in Israeli history, emblematic of the ideological tensions that define the nation today.
His life and leadership were shaped by a profound belief in the Jewish right to statehood and a commitment to security, tempered by moments of reflection on the costs of conflict. As Begin himself asserted, to be a leader means to have courage, to inspire others, and to bear the brunt of public opinion.
His contributions and the discourse they generated continue to resonate, reflecting the ongoing struggle for peace and coexistence in the Middle East.
Menachem Begin, the sixth Prime Minister of Israel, is a pivotal figure in the annals of Israeli history. His leadership during a tumultuous period, policy decisions, and advocacy for a nationwide peace process significantly shaped the trajectory of the Israeli state. Beyond his political maneuvers, Begin’s life is a compelling narrative of resilience, conviction, and complex ideological beliefs, particularly regarding Jewish identity and the state of Israel.
Born on August 16, 1913, in Brest-Litovsk, Poland, Begin was exposed early on to the struggles of the Jewish people. His formative years were marked by the impact of anti-Semitism and the dire circumstances of the interwar period. This backdrop compelled him to join the revisionist Zionist movement led by Ze'ev Jabotinsky, which espoused a more militant approach to establishing a Jewish homeland. Begin believed that it is the responsibility of every generation to protect its own, a sentiment that informed his actions during World War II and later, the struggle for Israeli independence.
Begin’s resolve to establish Israel as a sovereign state crystallized during his leadership of the Irgun, a paramilitary organization that operated in British Palestine.
His role as a military leader, while controversial, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Jewish self-determination. In Begin’s words, the struggle for a homeland is a sacred cause, and he took this mantra to heart, leading operations that aimed to weaken British control and facilitate Jewish immigration to Palestine. His actions reached a critical juncture with the 1946 King David Hotel bombing, an event that not only intensified British resolve but also polarized opinions regarding the Zionist movement.
In 1948, following the United Nations’ recommendation to partition Palestine, Israel declared its independence. Begin’s leadership in this period, particularly his role in the nascent state’s defense efforts against neighboring Arab states, further cemented his position as a key figure in Israeli history.
However, the resulting war brought about tragic consequences for both Jews and Arabs, a reality that Begin grappled with in his later years. He recognized that the price of a state is a price we must pay, but it must not cost us our humanity, illustrating his complex relationship with wartime decisions and ethical considerations.
After decades in the political wilderness, Begin returned to the forefront of Israeli politics by leading the Likud party to a historic victory in 1977, marking the first time an opposition party had come to power since 1948.
His election was not just a political triumph, it signaled a shift in Israeli society that began to embrace more nationalist policies.
As Prime Minister, Begin was known for his controversial decision to invade Lebanon in 1982, which he justified by asserting that the best way to secure peace is to make war. Yet, the invasion had significant repercussions, leading to prolonged conflict and loss of life, and ultimately sparking significant opposition within Israel.
Despite the war’s fallout, Begin made a groundbreaking move in the realm of diplomacy. His collaboration with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat culminated in the historic Camp David Accords of 1978, for which Begin, Sadat, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The accords marked a significant step towards peace in the Middle East, with Begin famously stating, there can be no peace without justice, underscoring his belief that negotiations must address both Israel's security and Palestinian rights.
Throughout his tenure, Begin faced criticism for his hardline policies, yet his commitment to peace with Egypt showcased a willingness to engage with adversaries.
His approach highlighted the delicate balance Israel must maintain between security and diplomacy, a theme relevant to Israeli politics to this day.
After leaving office in 1983, Begin retreated from public life, leaving a legacy about nationalism, security, and identity in Israel.
----------------------------------------------
If you live and work in Israel, English For Israel is here for you, offering
Business English tuition
Development of self-confidence when speaking English
Professional English CVs, and
Listen to The Value of Learning English on my podcast.
קרא את ההמלצות שלנו
Telephone 053 7120720
Email: englishforisrael770@gmail.com
