Menachem Begin

Menachem Begin
Official Medal 2000/5760
Fifth in the "Prime ministers of Israel" Medal Series.

Menachem Begin was born in Poland in 1913. Before the Six Day War, Begin joined the National Unity Government and served as Government Minister. It was under this Government that the Israel Defense Force achieved victory over the Arab states and reunified Jerusalem. In 1973, Begin launched the Likud Party and, after the 1977 political upheaval, he became the sixth Prime Minister of the State of Israel. He initiated the historic peace process with Egypt and signed the peace treaty, which brought him the Nobel Peace Prize. In September 1983, Begin retired from his duties as Prime Minister. He died in March 1992, mourned by all the people of Israel, who so loved and admired him.

Obverse: Portrait of Menachem Begin, around the right-hand-side border, an olive branch and around the left, "Menachem Begin" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: Inscription "Prime Minister Medal" in Hebrew and English and to the right, the Israel State Emblem and above it, the Israel Flag.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; the serial number and metal.

Designer: Eliezer Weishoff.

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan.

Mint: Government Mint, Jerusalem.