Before the State of Israel was born, it nearly tore itself apart. But Menachem Begin known as a radical, zealot, and even a danger chose unity over vengeance, making the gut-wrenching decision he needed to make to stop Jews from turning their guns on each other, even as bullets flew and ships burned. His greatest victory? The war he stopped.
Big Ideas
- Menachem Begin’s greatest legacy may be the civil war he prevented, not the wars he fought.
- Israel’s founding was shaped by deep internal divisions, not just external threats.
- True leadership requires knowing when to fight—and when to hold back for the greater good.
Essential Questions
- How did internal Jewish conflict shape the creation of the State of Israel?
- When, if ever, should a leader prioritize unity over their view of what is right?
- What can Menachem Begin’s example teach us about resolving internal conflicts in Israeli society today, despite deep ideological differences?
