Rachel Neiman
December 28, 2014

A new exhibition at the Begin Heritage Center presents a unique collection of political cartoons that provide a glimpse into some of the major events that occurred during Menachem Begin’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The exhibition presents selected cartoons by the late artist, Shmuel Katz, that appeared from 1977 to 1983 in the Israeli dailies Ma’ariv and Al HaMishmar.

The cartoons provide historical insight to the policy, political and economic climate of the country during this period. They were donated by Katz, who regularly caricatured Begin throughout the latter’s political career.

Katz was an Israeli artist, illustrator, and cartoonist who published editorial cartoons and illustrations in Al HaMishmar, and Maariv, as well as the weekly kibbutz supplement of the mass-circulation Yedioth Aharonoth.

As a lifelong member of the Hashomer Hatzair movement and of Kibbutz Ga’aton, Katz was on the opposite side of the political spectrum to Begin, yet he portrayed the Prime Minister with a great deal of understanding…

Begin trying to bridge the gap with President of Egypt Anwar Sadat during a low point in the peace process in July, 1978.

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Begin during the 1978 peace talks, revealing secret plans to Sadat, Carter and the US government but keeping the Israeli public out of the loop.

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US President Jimmy Carter as scout troop leader, peace agreement in hand, chastising the Israelis and Egyptians during the 1979 Camp David talks, saying “I’m going to talk to your parents!”

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Begin readying to fight for his post, 50 days before a tight Knesset election race in June, 1981.

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The exhibition at the Begin Heritage Center is part of the 2014 Hamshushalayim Winter Festival in Jerusalem. It is open to the public free of charge during Museum opening hours.

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