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Menakhem BeginIsraeli statesman, Nobel Peace Prize 1978 (shared with Anwar Sadat)
Date of Birth: 16.08.1913
Country:  Israel |
Content:
- Menachem Begin: A Visionary Israeli Statesman
- Legal Career and Involvement with Betar
- World War II and Imprisonment in Siberia
- Irgun Commander and Struggle for Independence
- Controversial Actions and Terrorist Label
- Establishment of Herut and Political Career
- Election as Prime Minister and Foreign Policy
- Peace with Egypt and Nobel Prize
- Lebanon War and Resignation
- Personal Tragedies and Retirement
- Legacy and Vision of Peace
Menachem Begin: A Visionary Israeli Statesman
Early Life and Zionist RootsMenachem Begin was born in Brest-Litovsk, then part of Poland (now Belarus), to Wolf and Hassia Begin. His father, a prominent Jewish community leader, instilled in him a deep belief in the destiny of Israel as the Jewish homeland. At the age of ten, Begin joined the youth Zionist organization, Mizrachi, and later became a member of the militant youth group Betar, affiliated with the Zionist Revisionist Party led by Vladimir Jabotinsky.
Legal Career and Involvement with Betar
Begin studied law at Warsaw University, graduating with a doctorate in law. During his time in Warsaw, he became increasingly involved with Betar, serving as the organization's General Secretary for Czechoslovakia and later as head of the Polish Betar. His vocal opposition to British immigration restrictions to Palestine led to his arrest and imprisonment in 1939.
World War II and Imprisonment in Siberia
After being released from prison, Begin and his family fled to Lithuania in anticipation of the German invasion of Poland. When Lithuania was annexed by the Soviet Union, Begin was arrested and sentenced to eight years of exile in Siberia. He was freed in 1941 after Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
Irgun Commander and Struggle for Independence
In 1942, Begin arrived in Palestine and resumed his leadership role in Betar. He joined the underground Irgun Zvai Leumi, a paramilitary organization fighting for Jewish independence from British rule. Under Begin's command, the Irgun carried out attacks against British targets in retaliation for immigration restrictions and civilian casualties.
Controversial Actions and Terrorist Label
Some of Irgun's actions, including a bombing at the British headquarters in Jerusalem and a raid on the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin, drew criticism and led to Begin being labeled a terrorist by his opponents. However, Begin maintained that warnings had been given in both cases and that the British authorities had ignored them.
Establishment of Herut and Political Career
After Israel's independence in 1948, the Irgun was disbanded and reorganized into the political party Herut ("Freedom"). Begin became Herut's leader and spent the next 30 years as a member of the Knesset (Israeli parliament), often opposing the policies of the ruling Mapai party.
Election as Prime Minister and Foreign Policy
In 1977, Herut led the right-wing Likud bloc to victory in the elections. Begin became the sixth Prime Minister of Israel and formed a coalition government. His foreign policy was marked by a hard-line stance, expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank and conducting raids on Palestinian positions in Lebanon.
Peace with Egypt and Nobel Prize
In a surprising turn of events, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat extended a peace initiative to Israel in 1977. Begin welcomed the gesture, despite decades of conflict. After months of negotiations, the two leaders met at Camp David in the United States in 1978. The resulting Camp David Accords returned most of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt and established a framework for a future peace treaty. For their efforts, Begin and Sadat were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.
Lebanon War and Resignation
Despite the peace agreement with Egypt, tensions remained high in the region. In 1982, Begin launched the Lebanon War with the goal of destroying the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) stronghold in Lebanon. The war proved costly and controversial, leading to a protracted Israeli occupation of Lebanon.
Personal Tragedies and Retirement
After his wife's death in 1982, Begin became increasingly withdrawn and depressed. The burden of the Lebanon War and his personal anguish took a toll on his health. In 1983, he announced his resignation, saying, "I can't take it anymore."
Legacy and Vision of Peace
Menachem Begin died in 1992. His legacy remains complex, marked by both his controversial past and his role in advancing peace with Egypt. Despite the challenges and tragedies he faced, Begin's unwavering belief in the future of Israel and his pursuit of peace left a lasting impact on the history of the Middle East.
