Four Who Also Shaped Events: Paying a High Price for Questionable Gains

• Share

(2 of 2)

At times, Begin, 69, seemed surprisingly out of touch. Although he finally gave in to pressure to appoint a commission of inquiry, he said that he did not learn of the Beirut massacre until almost 48 hours after the killing had begun. But he appears to be as tough and stubborn as ever; neither his chronic poor health nor the death in November of his beloved wife, Aliza, has led him toward any public thoughts of retirement. Nor does the Israeli electorate want him to retire. According to the latest polls, Begin still enjoys the support of 47.8% of his countrymen. This is down from 54% last August, but far ahead of the standing of any prospective challenger.