Memorial ceremony at 'Beit Hanasi' for slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (Photo: The Judean)

Rabin Remembered As A Hero Of Israel At Official Ceremony In President's Home

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The Judean Staff
National

Yesterday, President Isaac Herzog hosted a memorial for Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin who was assassinated on November 4, 1995, by Yigal Amir after a campaign rally. Rabin, the general who liberated Jerusalem as Military General Chief of Staff in 1967, had negotiated a peace accord with Jordan and entered into an agreement to give Palestinians autonomy under the Oslo accords.

The memorial is an annual event that begins with a ceremony at Rabin's gravesite on Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem and is followed up by an exclusive ceremony at the President's Residence. The Knesset also hosts a special session where ministers, Knesset members, and party leaders typically remember the man responsible for unifying Israel's capital city and bringing Jewish communities back into Judea & Samaria.

Coming on the heels of an election that saw the far-right surge in popularity, the day itself was more melancholy than usual. With the rise of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the feeling among many of the invited guests was the event might be the last of its kind. As a teenager, Ben-Gvir famously tore off the Cadillac medallion from Rabin's car and exclaimed 'if we can get to his car we can get to him.' Many believe Ben-Gvir helped inspire the assassin by emboldening him to try and get close to the Prime Minister. Now, the leader of the 'Jewish Strength' party is seen as a hero on the right and credited widely with the recent election win that gave Benjamin Netanyahu a firm lead in forming a governing coalition that will most likely be a far-right, religious government.

The ceremony itself was attended by Rabin's family, his daughter Dalia Rabin who heads up the Yitzhak Rabin Center as well as her children Jonathan Ben-Artzi and Noa Rothman, who famously eulogized her grandfather in a speech that brought U.S. President Bill Clinton to tears. In addition to the large Rabin family presence, the current political elite of Israel also was in attendance. Defense Minister and former General Chief of Staff who many liken to Rabin, Benny Gantz was in attendance as was Knesset Speaker Micky Levy, and Merav Michaeli who is the leader of Israel's Labor Party, the same party Rabin once headed up.

After a contentious election season, President Isaac Herzog opened the ceremony with a candle-lighting ceremony that featured Rabin's great-grandchildren. In his speech that followed, Herzog gave a plea to all parties to reduce the friction in the country. "Rabin was able to make decisions and take responsibility. That is the role of a public leader from both sides of the political aisle," Herzog said. "I urge you, we've attacked one another enough, fought enough, and berated each other enough."

Herzog also addressed the criticism of many Jews in America who believe that the most recent election will lead to hardliners taking over and imposing religious law and oppressive policies on non-Jews, turning the Democratic Jewish state into a theocratic-minded State. "To all our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora; To everyone who voices anxiety and concern in Israel and the world, I say: We are all committed to the fate of the State of Israel, we are all committed to its basic existence as a Jewish and democratic state that upholds the rule of law, human and civil rights, and respect for all minority groups within it." 

In addressing the polarization in Israel's political society since Rabin's assassination, Herzog said "In the life of a nation and the history of a people, 27 years pass by in a blink of an eye. As for real processes and profound changes that can change reality, it takes longer to leave a real mark. However, in the case of Rabin's assassination, the time dimension appears to be taking on a different meaning, and these 27 years feel like an eternity. How much we have been through since he was assassinated, how much have we learned since – as a nation and as individuals."

The President was followed by Rabbi Re'Em Ha'Cohen, the Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of Yeshivat Otniel, which is a Religious Zionist seminary located near Hebron. Rabbi Ha'Cohen spoke for nearly six minutes and echoed the praise of Rabin as the unifier of Jerusalem and gave the former Prime Minister credit as the one responsible for bringing Jewish communities back into the historical heartland of the Jewish nation, Judea & Samaria. Rabbi Ha'Cohen was there to give a 'D'var Torah' (commentary on the Torah) and spoke of the first and second temple periods and brought to the table his thoughts on how Israel needs to build a third temple, "not by force but with spirituality." His appearance was a welcome and soothing sight as many people in Israel associate the Religious Zionist movement with the man who assassinated Rabin. His words were inspirational and relevant to the times Israel finds itself in today. 

Nofia Yedidia, who was runner-up in the popular Israeli reality show 'The Next Star' sang an inspirational song written by world-renowned Israeli musician, Idan Raichal. In addition to a song from the choir of the Kadouri agricultural high school located near Mount Tabor in lower Galilee, the same school that Rabin attended growing up.  Two choir members also closed out the event with the customary singing of Israel's national anthem, Hatikvah.

Overall, the event was a solemn memorial to a man who was perhaps the most significant contributor to Israel as it stands today. From his 'biblical level' title of unifier of Jerusalem in the six-day war to his modernization projects as Prime Minister which turned Israel from a socialist agricultural country into a modern, semi-capitalistic technological titan, Rabin's legacy can be seen everywhere in Israel, including Judea & Samaria. His murder rocked the nation and shook the world, it was an event from which many are unsure Israel has recovered. The post-Rabin years have been mired with political instability and a rise of extremism on both sides.

Credit: The Judean would like to thank Dalia Rabin and the extended Rabin family for the opportunity to share in the remarkable event. In addition, we would like to thank Isaac Herzog, President of Israel for being a humble and welcoming host.  

 

  

 

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