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ABSTRACT
This paper aims to shed further light on the response of Israeli society to the rise of the Black Panthers in 1971 by examining the attitude adopted by Menachem Begin and Gahal to the emerging Mizrahi protest movement. After discussing in detail Begin’s response to the Black Panthers’ protest, this paper analyses the factors that contributed to the divide between the Panthers and Israel’s leading opposition party at that time, and the criticism levelled by party members against its leadership concerning its inaction regarding the Black Panthers’ protest. Whereas right-wing Zionist research has hitherto focused on Begin’s political and security-related outlook and activities, the affair being discussed may shift the limelight onto the socio-economic attitudes of Begin and his party.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes on contributor
Amir Goldstein is a historian and senior lecturer at Tel-Hai College. His books and articles focus on the activities of Zeev Jabotinsky and Menahem Begin and the breakthrough of the Zionist right, moving from the margins of Israeli politics to the centre. His recent publications include “Olei Hagardom – from institutional to collective memory” (Journal of Israeli History, September 2015, 159–180); “Menachem Begin and Gahal during the Waiting Period” (Israel Affairs, 2017, 1–27); “Menachem Begin and the establishment of the Likud party” (Middle Eastern Studies, 2017); and Heroism and Exclusion: Olei Hagardom and Israeli Memory [Hebrew] (2011). His latest book is Zionism and Anti-Semitism in the Thought and Action of Ze’ev Jabotinsky [Hebrew] (2015).
Notes
1 See, for example: The Knesset records [henceforward KR], 11 May 1971; 21 July 1971.
2 Gahal faction report, 14 June 1971, Jabotinsky Institute Archive (JIA), H2-2, 11/2.
3 Report of internal affairs committee, 24 August 1971.
4 See report dated 1 June 1971.
5 See report dated 1 June 1971.
6 See report dated 1 June 1971.
7 As well as in other internal affairs committee sessions.
8 Milman and Shechterman’s statement, Gahal meeting report, 24 May 1971, JIA, H 2-2/12.
9 Gahal faction meeting report, 24 May 1971, JIA, H 2-2/11.
10 Yaakov Nehoshtan’s statement, the KR, 24 May 1971, 2485.
11 Yaakov Nehoshtan’s statement, the KR, 24 May 1971, 2485.
12 Emil Elbaz’s letter to Begin, 22 June 1971, JIA, P 20/9/79.
13 Emil Elbaz’s letter to Begin, 2 June 1971, JIA, P 20/9/79; 2 June 1971, Yitzhak Hadad to Begin.
14 Baruch Levy from Pardes Katz to Begin, 28 May 1971; Nir Matityahu’s letter to Begin, 21 August 1971.
15 The monthly Eretz Yisrael: A dialogue between Ezer Weizman and students, 24 August 1971, JIA, P2/272.
16 On 13 July, The Black Panthers splintered, as Edi Malka announced his final retirement from the movement and the creation of a splinter organization known as “Blue and White Panthers. ”
17 Eretz Yisrael: A dialogue between Ezer Weizman and students, 24 August 1971, JIA, P2/272.
18 Eretz Yisrael: A dialogue between Ezer Weizman and students, 24 August 1971, JIA, P2/272.
19 Chief superintendent A. Turjeman to Jerusalem District commander, 28 November 1971, Israel Police Archive, L-412/10. It was later revealed that Elbaz worked as an undercover police agent within the Panthers’ leadership.
20 The incident occurred after the eighth Knesset elections and the establishment of Likud.
21 Haim Tasa (1932–2008), Bnei Yehuda football club manager and one of its founders, former Beitar Etzel member. He also served as the secretary general of the Yemenite Association of Israel, a former Herut Youth Movement member and a Tel Aviv city councilman from the Likud.
22 Begin’s letter to Yitzhak Hadad, 10 June 1971, JIA, P 20/9/79.
23 Begin’s letter to Yitzhak Hadad, 10 June 1971, JIA, P 20/9/79.
24 Begin’s speech at Herut’s 11th national council meeting, 22 July 1973, JIA, H11-1/16.
25 Eretz Yisrael, a dialogue between Ezer Weizman and students, 24 August 1971, JIA, P 272/2.
26 Herut Party Centre report meeting, 5 January 1975, JIA, H-1/2/24/2.
27 Report of a cabinet meeting, 18 April 1971, Israel State Archives.