Menachem Begin

Date of Birth: August 16, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: March 9, 1992

Biography

Menachem Begin was an Israeli politician who played a significant role in the founding and shaping of the State of Israel. He was born on August 16, 1913, in Brest-Litovsk, which was then part of the Russian Empire (now Brest, Belarus). Begin was deeply influenced by his Jewish heritage and early Zionist education. He studied law at the University of Warsaw and became involved in Jewish nationalist movements. During World War II, Begin was imprisoned by the Soviet NKVD but was released in 1941. He joined the Free Polish Army and eventually made his way to Palestine, where he became the leader of the Irgun, a Zionist paramilitary organization. He led the Irgun in several operations, including the bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1946. In 1948, following the establishment of the State of Israel, Begin transitioned into politics and founded the Herut party, which later became part of the Likud party. He served as the Prime Minister of Israel from 1977 to 1983. During his tenure, he signed the historic Camp David Accords with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, leading to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979. This achievement earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with Sadat. Begin’s tenure as Prime Minister also included the controversial invasion of Lebanon in 1982. He resigned from politics in 1983 and spent his remaining years in relative seclusion. Menachem Begin passed away on March 9, 1992, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

5 Interesting Facts about Menachem Begin

1. Menachem Begin was the sixth Prime Minister of Israel.

2. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 alongside Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

3. Begin led the Irgun, a Zionist paramilitary organization, during the British Mandate of Palestine.

4. He was the first Israeli Prime Minister to sign a peace treaty with an Arab country.

5. Begin was known for his passionate speeches and strong oratorical skills.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Menachem Begin

1. “The Bible is our mandate.”

2. “Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of a family.”

3. “We do not rejoice in victories. We rejoice when a new kind of cotton is grown and when strawberries bloom in Israel.”

4. “Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.”

5. “Our people, our nation, will struggle and will conquer.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Menachem Begin was not known for amassing personal wealth. His highest net worth is not publicly documented, as his focus was primarily on his political and nationalistic endeavors.

Children

Menachem Begin had three children with his wife Aliza Arnold: 1. Binyamin Ze’ev Begin, who followed in his father’s footsteps and became a politician. 2. Leah Begin 3. Hassia Begin