BEGIN, MENACHEM. (1913-1992). Nobel Prize-winning Israeli prime minister. TLS. (“M. Begin”). ½p. 4to. (Jerusalem), May 17, 1973. Written on his Knesset stationery to American autograph collector Robert J. Cohen.

“I apologize for the delay in answering your letter. It was caused by many public obligations relating to the Twenty fifth anniversary of our independence.

The name of the young girl, in those days, Rachel, does not give me any clue to identify the person. Yet, I’ll ask my friend, member of the Knesset, Mrs. Esther Raziel Naor, who was for many years a prisoner at Beth Lehem, whether she can recall, Rachel who’s [sic.] sister lived in Bnei Braqe. If I have any information from Mrs. Raziel-Naor, I’ll put it at your disposal...”

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.

Begin is best remembered for his role in negotiating the Camp David Accords with Egyptian President Anwar 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.

During the 1930s, Esther Raziel-Naor (1911-2002) worked to advance the cause of Israeli independence as a broadcaster for Irgun’s radio station as well as a writer for its newspaper. Eventually, she rose to a command position within the paramilitary organization and, in 1944, was arrested after a raid on her home turned up her radio transmitter. Through 1944 she remained in prison until she was placed under house arrest to give birth. After the 1946 King David Hotel bombing, she was briefly arrested again and continued to be surveilled for her underground activities. With the establishment of the state of Israel, she helped found the Herut political party, which she represented in the Knesset. Her son, Aryeh Naor, served as Begin’s cabinet secretary. Our letter mentions the densely populated city of Bnei Braqe as well as the 25th anniversary of Israel’s independence, celebrated ten days earlier on May 7, 1973.

Folded into quarters and in very fine condition.