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BEGIN, MENACHEM. (1913-1992). Nobel Prize-winning Israeli prime minister. Signed book. (“M. Begin”). 36pp. 4to. Washington, DC, April 1979. A booklet entitled Documents Pertaining to the Conclusion of Peace, published by the Israeli Embassy in Washington and signed on the front cover.

A militant Russian Zionist, Begin survived torture in Lukiškės Prison and enforced labor in a Russian gulag, eventually settling in the British Mandate of Palestine. There he became a prominent leader in the Jewish uprising agitating for British withdrawal from the region. After the founding of Israel, Begin became an outspoken and indefatigable member of the opposition party in the Knesset until his election as prime minister in 1977.

In 1978, following 18 months of diplomatic effort, U.S. President Jimmy Carter brought together Israel and Egypt for the historic Camp David Accords. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Begin were sequestered at Camp David, the Maryland presidential retreat, where Carter moderated 13 days of intense negotiations that lead to 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. The first framework pertained to Palestinian issues, while the second led to the Washington signing of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty on March 26, 1979, in which each country officially agreed to recognize the other, Israeli forces were removed from the Sinai Peninsula and safe passage was guaranteed for Israeli ships going through the Suez Canal. With its ratification, Egypt became the first Arab country to officially recognize the state of Israel and American aid was extended to Egypt. Begin and Sadat shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize, and the peace they established as a result of the Camp David Accords endures. The unpopularity of the signing in some quarters did, however, lead to Sadat’s assassination in 1981. Begin remained prime minister until 1983 when he was succeeded by Yitzhak Rabin. Our booklet is divided into four sections: 1. The Camp David Accords, 2. The Peace Treaty with Egypt and associated documents, 3. Memoranda of Agreement, 4. Addresses delivered at the Peace Signing Ceremony on the White House Lawn – 26 March 1979.

Boldly signed by Begin on the cover and in excellent condition.

Item #17142

Price: $650