Menachem Begin

Quick facts

Born

16 August 1913 wd

Place of birth

Brest wd

Died

9 March 1992 wd

Place of death

Tel Aviv wd

Citizenship

Israel, Russian Empire wd

Occupation

politician wd

Political party

Likud, Gahal, Herut wd

Education

Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Warsaw wd

Spouse

Aliza Begin wd

Positions held wd

• Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (19 June 1983 – 10 October 1983)
• Minister of Defense of Israel (14 February 1983 – 23 February 1983)
• Knesset member (20 July 1981 – 13 August 1984)
• Minister of Defense of Israel (28 May 1980 – 5 August 1981)
• Prime Minister of Israel (20 June 1977 – 10 October 1983)
• Minister of Communications (20 June 1977 – 24 October 1977)
• Knesset member (13 June 1977 – 20 July 1981)
• Knesset member (21 January 1974 – 13 June 1977)
• Knesset member (17 November 1969 – 21 January 1974)
• Minister without portfolio (5 June 1967 – 6 August 1970)
• Knesset member (22 November 1965 – 17 November 1969)
• Knesset member (25 May 1965 – 22 November 1965)
• Knesset member (4 September 1961 – 25 May 1965)
• Knesset member (30 November 1959 – 4 September 1961)
• Knesset member (15 August 1955 – 30 November 1959)
• Knesset member (20 August 1951 – 15 August 1955)
• Knesset member (14 February 1949 – 20 August 1951)

Awards wd

• Nobel Peace Prize (1978)

About

Before the creation of the state of Israel, Begin was the leader of the Zionist militant group Irgun, the Revisionist breakaway from the larger Jewish paramilitary organization Haganah. He proclaimed a revolt, on 1 February 1944, against the British mandatory government, which was opposed by the Jewish Agency. As head of the Irgun, he targeted the British in Palestine, with a notable attack being the King David Hotel bombing. Later, the Irgun fought the Arabs during the 1947–48 civil war in Mandatory Palestine and, as its chief, Begin was described by the British government as the "leader of the notorious terrorist organisation". It declined him an entry visa to the United Kingdom between 1953 and 1955. However, Begin's overtures of friendship eventually paid off and he was granted a visa in 1972, five years prior to becoming prime minister.

Begin was elected to the first Knesset, as head of Herut, the party he founded, and was at first on the political fringe, embodying the opposition to the Mapai-led government and Israeli establishment. He remained in opposition in the eight consecutive elections (except for a national unity government around the Six-Day War), but became more acceptable to the political center. His 1977 electoral victory and premiership ended three decades of Labor Party political dominance.

Begin's most significant achievement as prime minister was the signing of a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979, for which he and Anwar Sadat shared the Nobel Peace Prize. In the wake of the Camp David Accords, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula, which had been captured from Egypt in the Six-Day War. Later, Begin's government promoted the construction…

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Questions

When was Menachem Begin born?

Menachem Begin was born on 16 August 1913 in Brest.

What positions has Menachem Begin held?

Positions held by Menachem Begin include: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (1983–1983); Minister of Defense of Israel (1983–1983); Knesset member (1981–1984); Minister of Defense of Israel (1980–1981); Prime Minister of Israel (1977–1983).

Where did Menachem Begin study?

Menachem Begin was educated at Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Warsaw.

Sources

1. Wikipedia (English): Menachem Begin · CC BY-SA 4.0
2. Wikidata item Q130873 · CC0 1.0
3. Image: Menachem Begin and Cyrus R. Vance (cropped) (2).JPEG by MSGT DENHAM (Public domain)

Last updated 1 November 2026 · facts checked 7 November 2026

Cite this page

"Menachem Begin". DigiNepal. Last updated 1 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/menachem-begin. Retrieved 7 November 2026.

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