The late former Prime Minister Menachem Begin was memorialized in a special state ceremony held at the Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem on Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of his death. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the underground leader who became premier in a 1977 electoral upset. He had some tremendous achievements as prime minister, Netanyahu said, but from a historical perspective, his greatest achievement was to help force the British out of the country so that the state of Israel could be established. I believe that without Begins crucial role in ousting the British from the land, the right moment to establish the state could have passed, and all of his other achievements may never have occurred, Netanyahu told ceremony host Yaron Dekel, who was recently appointed the new head of Army Radio. Netanyahu added that Begins decisions and leadership of the Irgun [a Zionist paramilitary group] paved the way for the British departure, which led to the founding of the state. Begin solidified the establishment of the state and was absolutely committed to its protection. Netanyahu also praised Begins decision to bomb Iraqs Osriak nuclear reactor in 1981. Every decision is an individual one. But it is clear that anyone who stands at Israels helm feels there is one particular concept that overrides all others, which is how to ensure not only the security of Israels citizens, but also the very foundation of Israels existence. Begin solidified the establishment of the state by creating the conditions for independence. The bottom line is that the existence of the state hinges on its protection, Netanyahu said. Commenting on Begins role in Israels peace agreement with Egypt, Netanyahu said, I think that Begin, with his sharp senses, identified a historical window of opportunity and acted courageously in stretching out his hand to seize that opportunity. His plan did in fact materialize, and Israel has had peace for 30 years, which is no small matter for Israel. I believe I would have voted for that peace plan. Netanyahu said he met the late leader for the first time in 1976 when Begin came to his home to offer his condolences after Netanyahus brother, Yonatan, was killed in the daring rescue of Jewish and Israeli passengers held hostage by Palestinian terrorists at the Entebbe airport in Uganda. I noticed his empathy and humanity, Netanyahu said. I was highly impressed with him. He is a great role model for me, with his respect for democracy, courts of law and the media. But in the final analysis, in the more fateful decisions, he followed the dictates of his own conscience, and that is the most important thing. Israel and the Likud are inspired by the spirit of Menachem Begin. Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin praised Begin as well, calling him a great proponent of democracy. Even when he came to power he did not bear a grudge against his political adversaries, Rivlin said. Freedom of expression was paramount to him. He believed that we are obligated to prove that there is no contradiction between Judaism and democracy, and claimed that democracy does not mean that the majority determines everything, but that the individual also has inviolable rights. We in the Likud must teach and study his views today. Netanyahu, Rivlin and other officials, including Begins son, current Minister Without Portfolio Benny Begin, also took part in a religious memorial service for Begin at the ancient cemetery on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
