Begin Answers Sacher

Premier Menachem Begin rejected today a suggestion by British Zionist leader Michael Sacher that Begin should seek a new mandate for his foreign policy because he was elected, fundamentally, on his economic program and not on the issue of peace negotiations with Egypt. In an open letter to Sacher in the Jerusalem Post, in response to Sacher’s open letter in the Post last Thursday, Begin also rejected the British Zionist’s view that Begin’s inflexible foreign policy could lead to another series of wars. The Premier’s open letter stated:

“Yesterday, which was the last day of my short vacation, I read your letter in the Jerusalem Post and it left me wandering. During the last year you had numerous opportunities to talk to me in the circle of a few friends, or, if you so wished, privately. But you did not use those opportunities. You never brought your interesting suggestion to me but preferred, as the Americans say, to go public.

“This is your right. Since I became a disciple of (Zeev) Jabatinsky at the age of 15–it is now 50 years ago–I learned from him, and believe this with all my heart, that Eretz Yisrael belongs to all the Jewish people and not only to that portion of our people that lives here. However, it is my duty to state that a national election being the internal issue in any country, must always remain the legitimate exclusive domain of those who can influence the electorate or be influenced by it.

“Your suggestion or allegation that my colleagues and I were elected by the people mainly on the basis of our economic plan is, to put it mildly, a complete mistake. We campaigned for months on two issues: the political-security problems and the socio-economic problems. Every child in Israel knew exactly what we stood for on the question of peace and security–the more so the adults.

“This was the main theme of the election eve television dialogue between the Labor Alignment’s candidate for the Premiership, Mr. (Shimon) Peres and myself. After all this thorough public education came the decision of our people. And I venture to say that there never was a more democratic expression of opinion in the annals of our country or of any other state than the Israel national elections of 1977.

“According to the constitution of our land the mandate given us by our people is for a four-year period. Upon taking office I gave an oath of allegiance before the Knesset to the effect that I would faithfully fulfill my duty as Prime Minister of Israel. And, Mr. Sacher, I intend to do my best and utmost to fulfill my duty for the constitutional duration of the Ninth Parliament. I shall do so as long as the government I head enjoys the confidence of the House. As far as I am aware, this is called in several countries, including Britain: democracy.

“I must state with a full sense of responsibility that your concept of Israel’s security would lead us into untenable conditions of a permanent bloodshed, a general war under the most intolerable circumstances, and a direct danger to the very existence of Israel and its people. You will, therefore, understand why your concept is utterly unacceptable to my colleagues in government, in Parliament and to me. We shall go on doing our very best to obtain peace and security not only for our own generation but also four our children and their children….”