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Herzl Makov, director of the Israeli-based Center for the Study of Menachem Begin's Legacy, and the center's deputy director, Ehiel Fishzon, arrived in Brest on October 23 to propose to the local government that a memorial plaque be unveiled in the city on the occasion of the Brest-born Israeli political leader's 90th birthday, which will be observed next year. The Menachem Begin Center originally wanted the plaque to be unveiled on the tenth anniversary of the politician's death, but this did not occur although the Brest authorities seemed favorable to the project at last year's talks. Menachem Begin, Israel's prime minister between 1977 and 1983, was born in Brest in 1913 into the family of the chairman of the local Jewish community, Volf Begin. He died in Tel Aviv in 1992. On Wednesday, the Israeli guests planned to see the place where Brest ghetto prisoners were shot in 1942, and visit the Regional Record Office and the Brest Fortress Memorial. On the following day they are scheduled to visit Brest State University and hold meetings with the staff of the area history museum and representatives of the local Jewish community. Also on October 24, they are to meet with the leaders of the Brest Regional Executive Committee to sign a protocol of intentions. The Israeli delegation hopes that the protocol will provide for unveiling a plaque and organizing other commemorative events in Brest on Begin's 90th birthday.
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