World: Storm in the Knesset

It was not Menachem Begin’s finest hour. During a rowdy session of the Knesset that was televised nationally last week, Israel’s Premier lost his temper in a debate with Labor Party Leader Shimon Peres about Peres’ talks with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in Vienna, came close to weeping, and tore up pieces of paper. At a closed session of Labor delegates, even former Premier Golda Meir wondered aloud whether Begin had lost his senses. Meanwhile, a new “denial unit” in Begin’s office, created to offset critical press stories about him, was working full time to explain away the Premier’s rostrum behavior.

Begin’s angry outburst even spilled over into the Knesset cafeteria after the debate, where the Premier, according to numerous witnesses, cursed Peres in Russian and Polish. He also disclosed that Peres had met secretly with King Hassan II of Morocco in Rabat following the Sadat talks and “even dared to ask my permission to meet with [Jordan’s] King Hussein.” Labor Party officials seeking future meetings with Arab leaders, he warned, would not be issued passports. TIME has learned that Hussein, who was honeymooning in England, had requested a meeting with Peres through former King Constantine II of Greece. Peres called and asked for Begin’s permission; he was turned down.

The stormy Knesset session had begun with opening remarks by Peres on his talks with Sadat. Begin had not yet found time to receive Peres privately and thus had not heard a full and confidential report. Nonetheless, the Premier accusedPeres of “telling us fantastic stories” about the talks. “I really want to ask,” said Begin, “did he [Peres] ask his partner in the three-and-a-half-hour discussion if he, Mr. Sadat, is ready to make a territorial compromise? For me a part, and for you a part?” Begin then grabbed a piece of paper and ripped it in two. “This is what a territorial compromise means,” he shouted.

The Knesset broke into an uproar. Rabbi Menachem Hacohen, a member of the Labor Party, asked: “What is that? A peace poster?” (The reference was to an earlier incident in which Defense Minister Weizman had ripped down a poster outside Begin’s office.) Called out Meir Peil, head of the left-wing Shelli Party: “A Premier on the rostrum ripping up papers?” Begin answered with sarcasm: “Did I wake you up, Knesset Member Peil? Shalom alechem!”

Peres futilely tried to reply that he had raised the question of territorial compromise with Sadat. Begin refused to listen. “Sadat is talking about minor adjustments only,” he continued. “Now I will tell you why you didn’t raise the question about a territorial compromise. You are a clever man. You knew what kind of an answer you would get, and that is why you did not ask.”

Peres: I beg your pardon. I say that I raised the question, and I will report to you privately. You have not heard my report.

Begin: Don’t tell me theoretical stories. I have no time. And now I am free, and you will have to be free to see me.

Later in the debate when the Premier declared that he represented the State of Israel, Meir Peil interjected: “Oy!” Begin turned on him once more: “Oy and oy to this heckling. I understand it hurts you, but it will continue hurting you for many years.”While several members shouted “Amen,” Peil shot back: “I hope [he] will reach the age of 120 but not be the Premier for a long time.” By session’s end, Israeli television viewers might have been hoping for a peace plan for their Knesset.