BEGIN, MENACHEM. (1913-1992). Nobel Prize-winning Israeli prime minister. Two postcard reproductions of the front pages of The Jerusalem Post with headlines about the historic negotiations and peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, signed at the bottom by Begin. (“M. Begin”). 2pp. N.p., N.d. The November 30, 1977, headline announces “Smiling, Sadat, Begin start talks,” with a headline in Arabic to the right of the masthead along with a message of welcome to Sadat during his historic trip to Israel to address the Knesset. The March 27, 1979, front page announces, “Israel and Egypt sign peace treaty declaring end to 30-year state of war,” with images of Israel and Egypt’s flags next to the masthead. Begin signed this postcard beneath an advertisement reading “It’s TIME for peace.”
Two Signed Souvenir Postcards Announcing Negotiations with Sadat and Peace Treaty
A militant Russian Zionist, Begin survived torture in Vilnius’ Lukiškės Prison and enforced labor in a Russian gulag, eventually settling in the British Mandate of Palestine, where he became a prominent leader in the Jewish uprising to force a British withdrawal from the region. After Israel’s founding, Begin became an outspoken and indefatigable member of the Likud opposition party in the Knesset until his election as prime minister in 1977.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (1918-1981) succeeded Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser upon the latter’s death in 1970 and in 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked the Israeli army in the Sinai Peninsula, beginning the October (Yom Kippur) War, the ramifications of which continue to be felt throughout the region to this day.
Begin is best remembered for his role in negotiating the Camp David Accords with Sadat. From September 17-29, 1978, the two leaders held intense negotiations moderated by American President Jimmy Carter at Camp David, the Maryland presidential retreat. The result was the creation of two documents: A Framework for Peace in the Middle East and A Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel. For the Camp David Accords, Begin and Sadat shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize, announced in October 1978. Begin remained prime minister until 1983 when Yitzhak Rabin succeeded him. Although the Camp David Accords brought Sadat a more favorable reception in the West, his popularity in Egypt plummeted and he was assassinated in December 1981.
An excellent pairing and in mint condition.
