At Yesterday's Likud/Herut UK Book Launch

Close to 150 veterans of the Likud/Herut/ UK movement, both immigrants and visitors from abroad, were present at the book launch for the 600 page "Days of Action" volume providing documentary and photographic testimony to 40 years of Zionist action, from its founding in 1970 until 2010, on behalf of Israel, Soviet Jewry, British communal issues and various organizational events and publications.

The launch, held at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, was greeted by Minister Dr. Benny Begin, Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Moshe Arens, Former Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs, Herzl Makov, President of the Menachem Begin Center and chaired by Yisrael Medad, first Betar youth movement emissary to England. In addition, those gathered heard from Eric Graus, Life President of Likud/Herut UK, Joe Gellert, and Steve Rockman who produced the book. Malcolm Plamer, former Betar UK secretary, spoke words of thanks.

 

Eric Graus speaking

(I am at far right)

Credit: A. Gerber

 

Minister Begin recalled his father's visits to the UK under Likud/Herut auspices and how the policy of exclusion by Jewish officialdom was still prevalent. He quoted Menachem Begin that it is fine to be different but never be indifferent. JA head Natan Scharansky thnaked the Graus Family for their warm hospitality to his wife, Avital, who was present at the event, during the many times she stayed at their house during the long years of campaigning for his release. Former Minister Arens recalled being at the founding of the movement and how his perception, being in Betar and the Irgun, that Herut was being revitalized on English soil was that this was as if in 'enemy territory'.