Menachem Begin 16 August 1913 – 9 March 1992) Born in Poland, Menachem Begin reached British Palestine in 1943 to participate in the struggle for an independent state of Israel. He served in the Knesset from its first session. In 1973, the Likud Party was formed, and Begin became its leader. When Likud won the elections in 1977, he became Prime Minister. Begin and Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat received the Nobel Peace Prize for the peace treaty they signed in 1978 after much of the Sinai was returned to Egypt. In June 1981, Begin asked the Cabinet to approve the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak. On Shavuot, Israeli planes flew below radar detection through Arab air space and destroyed the facility, which Israel later claimed had been primed for a start-up. In 1982, Begin authorized the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Sixth Prime Minister of Israel. 21 June 1977 – 10 October 1983.   In failing health and following the death of his wife, Aliza, Begin stepped down in September 1983.