History of Menachem Begin

Menachem Begin was a pivotal figure in Israeli history, known for his leadership of the Zionist movement, role in the founding of the State of Israel, and eventual tenure as Prime Minister. His life and career were shaped by his deep commitment to the Jewish people and the state of Israel, which led him to the heights of political leadership and earned him a Nobel Peace Prize.

Begin was born on August 16, 1913, in Brest-Litovsk, then part of the Russian Empire, now in Belarus. Raised in a Jewish family deeply committed to Zionist ideals, Begin became an active participant in the Betar youth movement, an organization founded by Ze’ev Jabotinsky that emphasized Jewish self-defense and the establishment of a Jewish state. This association with Revisionist Zionism, which advocated for a Jewish state on both sides of the Jordan River, significantly shaped Begin’s political ideology.

His early life was marked by upheaval and hardship. Begin studied law in Warsaw, where he was influenced by the growing tide of European anti-Semitism and the urgent need for a Jewish homeland. With the outbreak of World War II, Begin found himself in Soviet-occupied Poland, where he was arrested by the NKVD in 1940 and sent to a Siberian labor camp. Released in 1941 as part of an agreement between the Polish government-in-exile and the Soviet Union, Begin joined the Free Polish Army and eventually made his way to Mandatory Palestine in 1942.

Upon his arrival, Begin took the helm of the Irgun, a paramilitary organization that differentiated itself from the more moderate Haganah by advocating armed rebellion against British rule in Palestine. Under Begin’s leadership, the Irgun carried out numerous operations, including the infamous 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, which targeted the British administrative headquarters and resulted in significant loss of life. Begin's tactics were controversial but underscored his unyielding resolve for Jewish sovereignty.

With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Begin transitioned from military leadership to politics. He founded the Herut party, a right-wing political faction that served as the political successor to the Irgun. Herut was initially marginalized in Israeli politics dominated by the socialist Mapai party under David Ben-Gurion. Begin’s fiery rhetoric and staunch opposition to territorial concessions set him apart in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

Despite early setbacks, Begin remained a central figure in Israeli politics through his role in the opposition, gradually gaining influence and followers. A key turning point came in 1965 when Herut joined with the Liberal Party to form Gahal, which later evolved into the Likud party in 1973. Begin’s dogged determination and advocacy for Jewish settlement and strong defense policy began resonating more with the Israeli electorate, particularly after the Yom Kippur War, which exposed vulnerabilities in the ruling Labor government.

In 1977, Menachem Begin led the Likud party to a historic victory, marking the first time that the right-wing in Israel had come to power, ending almost 30 years of Labor dominance. As Prime Minister, Begin embarked on a path that balanced his ideological convictions with pragmatic diplomacy. His tenure was marked by moments of significant controversy, particularly in relation to settlement expansions and policies in the occupied territories, but also by groundbreaking achievements in seeking peace.

One of Begin's most lasting legacies was the negotiation and signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978. Facilitated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, these agreements led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, the first of its kind between Israel and any of its Arab neighbors. Begin’s willingness to return the Sinai Peninsula in exchange for peace with Egypt, led by President Anwar Sadat, demonstrated his capacity for pragmatic statesmanship. For these efforts, Begin and Sadat were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.

However, Begin’s leadership was not without controversy. His decision to authorize the invasion of Lebanon in 1982 aimed at expelling the Palestine Liberation Organization led to widespread international and domestic criticism, particularly after the Sabra and Shatila massacre carried out by allied Phalangist militias. The war's toll weighed heavily on Begin, and amid health issues and personal grief following the death of his wife, Aliza, he resigned from office in 1983.

Menachem Begin retired from public life, remaining largely reclusive until his death on March 9, 1992. His funeral was held on the Mount of Olives, attended by a multitude of Israelis spanning political and ideological spectrums, reflecting his enduring impact. Begin's legacy is multifaceted; he is remembered as a tenacious fighter for his people's rights and state, a champion of Jewish identity and culture, and a leader who could make peace with an erstwhile adversary. His life's work laid a significant foundation for the modern state of Israel and altered the course of its politics, leaving a profound influence that endures to this day.