If Israel should withdraw to the 1967 borders and agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state, “a situation would develop that would entail the death of thousands of Israelis,” Premier Menachem Begin wrote in a letter to a group of high school students.
The students published last weekend an open letter to Begin demanding withdrawal and recognition of a Palestinian state, warning that if Begin did not do so, “their blood, as potential victims in the next war, would be on his hands.”
Begin wrote that what the students have asked for would perpetuate the state of war in the area. “I heard that your group supports Sheli. With all due respect to this party, which is represented by two Knesseters in a Knesset of 120 members…Should I, as Premier, follow their advice or that of the majority of our Parliament?” wrote Begin.
Begin said in his reply letter that the present government has done its utmost to achieve peace, “but it is obvious that making peace depends on both parties.” He told the students that following their letter, he received thousands of other letters written by students supporting the government’s policy. Begin reprimanded the students for publicizing their letter to him even before he received it, suggesting that “our students should also learn good manners.” Sheli Knesseter Meir Payil denied that his party was behind the students letter.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
