Our Story


Betar is a Jewish youth movement based on a very rich ideology and history.

Click on the links below to find out more about the various aspects of Betar






History


Betar has been in existence for over 80 years and has a played a key role in the building and development of the State of Israel. Included in these achievements are:


  • The creation of settlements in Eretz Israel
  • Organized self-defence and protection of Jews in Eretz Israel (Plugat haKotel as an example)
  • The development of the underground organizations which fought against the British and ultimately helped bring about the creation of the State of Israel
  • Efforts in “illegal” immigration – smuggling of Jews into Eretz Israel during the period of the British Mandate.


    • Menachem Begin


    Menachem Begin was the first Betari to become Prime Minister of Israel. Born in Poland in 1913, he joined Betar as a child and became commander of Betar in Poland. He was arrested by the Russians at the outbreak of World War 2. After spending 2 years in a Russian Labour Camp, he joined the Polish army in exile, and eventually reached Eretz Israel in 1942. He assumed command of the Etzel and declared the Revolt against the British, during which he stayed in command and was responsible for many operations including the Akko prison breakout and the bombing of British intelligence headquarters at the King David Hotel.


    Once the State of Israel was proclaimed, Begin transformed the Irgun into the Herut party (which later became the likud), with himself as its leader. Begin was the leader of the Opposition in Israel from 1948 until 1977 when he led Likud to victory at the polls and became Prime Minister of Israel.


    In 1979, Begin became the first Israeli prime minister to secure peace with an Arab State when he signed the Camp David Accords with Egypt. He returned the entire Sinai Peninsula, which Israel had captured from Egypt in 1967, in exchange for the peace treaty signed between the 2 States.


    In 1981 he ordered the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor and in 1982 in the face of increasing PLO terror from Lebanon, Begin ordered Operation Peace for Galilee (the Lebanon War.)


    He resigned from government in 1982 shortly after the death of his wife. In 1992 Begin died. He is buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.