The government is going to free 1000 terrorists to get back Shalit, who was only kidnapped because we left Gaza, and because of Oslo, and ultiamtely because of Rabin What's the difference if we release 1000 killers or 1? They were all politcal murders it would seem.

Somehow the message that this conjugal rights decision conveys is that, with the passage of time, the punishment fits the crime less and less, thus eroding the effectiveness of the punishment of political murderers. This gives legitimacy to the extreme right wing of Yigal Amir`s despicable ilk to carry out another political murder which will add another nail to the faltering democracy in Israel. A question that may be asked is: Would a Hamas terrorist be granted privileges of conjugal rights as Yigal Amir after a paltry eleven years of imprisonment? This despicable human being will be celebrating his honeymoon on Rabin’s Memorial Day! His behaviour had not been exemplary by any standards. He never uttered any regret for his dastardly deed. The press, which is usually critical of the government, has been strangely silent about this. The only journalist, who criticized this decision, is Nehemia Shtrassler of Ha’aretz. The assassination of Rabin is slipping into the mists of memory. This diabolical decision of conjugal right for Rabin’s assassin is proving the point. Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin said, in response to a petition Amir filed with the Tel Aviv District Court, that the conjugal visits do not pose a security risk. He can receive conjugal privileges. The fact that he committed such a horrendous crime does not seem to be an issue anymore. The cynical use of the term “security risk” as applied to Yigal Amir is ridiculous. Yigal Amir is the perfect example of a Jewish Fundamentalism mutant an offshoot of the illegal settler movement. The conjugal rights granted to Yigal Amir could give legitimacy to this extremist, dangerous ideology. This is a “security risk” for left of centre Jewish Israelis as much as it is for Arabs in Israel. In fact, it is a danger to democracy in Israel which has taken a bash from this gross conjugal rights decision for Yigal Amir. The damage that this assassin did for Israel goes beyond a mere “security risk”. Yigal Amir had done irreparable harm to the direction of peace in Israel. Because of the assassination he also killed the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and gave grist to the Hamas mill. It will only be a matter of time before Yigal Amir is pardoned. He is already half way there. Who knows? Maybe if President Moshe Katzav never had his problems with his lady accusers of sexual harassment and rape, perhaps he would have pardoned Yigal Amir. Now his powers of pardoning criminals have been suspended. It is bound to happen sooner rather than later by one of the next presidents who hopefully will not be tainted by some pending lawsuit. There is no doubt that this granting of conjugal rights will somehow soften the establishment’s attitude towards granting Yigal Amir a pardon. http://shimonzk.blogspot.com/2006/10/national-prize-for-assassinating-pm.html

What about a memorial day for the 16 unarmed Jewish boys that Rabin ordered to be shot in the Altelena incident

Well said sir !! Great blog too... I have added it to my favourites , thanks. Afraid I do not agree with this tho .. "" The assassination of Rabin is slipping into the mists of memory. "" Not with us . I and my whole family were there that dreadful night . My children are now grown and take their children with them to every memorial .......... we will never forget .... nor forgive.

But on the other hand there are limits to the punishment. If the goal is revenge then all murderers should be executed, but as long as that is not the case prisoners have certain rights. If in general murderers have the right of private time with their spouse then the decision to withhold that right from Amir is a political statement. Certainly the publicity (which came from officials to the media) hurts the deterrent effect of prison. This fake poll about 30% agreeing to a pardon in 25 years (ask the question to get the answer you want) is more of the same. The bottom line is that one part of the public wants to use the Rabin assassination to advance their politics against another sector which then responds quite predictably. Trash like our Stalinist Sabra are a good case in point. How many times can one hear such hatred without turning your nose from the whole kitsch.

Hullo !! They were traitors to the State ..... just like Yigal Amir is .... just like the Kahanists are . Shame we can't shoot them all.

As a person with Jewish father and none Jewish mother,Rabbi Kahane 's writings brought me to Judaism.Rabin murderd patriots on the Altelana.A memorial to Rabbi Kahane would be more fitting.

With due respect to H.E. the Minister of Education, if she indeed believes that the Rabin Memorial Day is as important as the Holocaust Memorial Day she is not doing a very good service to Rabin's memory and insulting the memory of 6000000 of our sisters and brothers. Jacky Pri-Gal - Holocaust survivor.

I'm a religious right wing voter, I did not agree with Rabin, but neithr did I agree with his murderer. I still respect Rabin's memory, as Judaism requires. However whatever your view, what I've seen in these talkbacks is such trash on both sides - shame on all of you!!! Such mutual hated and lack of understanding. I would have thought that English writing population would have a little more manners, and humanity, but you all on the right and and the left act so narrow mindedly. We are one people not two, although in these talkbacks, it is not possible to see it.

Let us also not forget that it was Mr. Rabin and his government who first gave the Arabs guns. Rabin gave the Arabs guns. He gave our enemies guns. What legacy?

No sir, I have nothing in common with murderers and assassins and racists like these here @ : http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/780940.html The Kahanists are a terrorist group and radical religious extremist fundamentalists and are no kin to me. We are NOT one people ..... most of them are Americans or Russians.....I sir am an Israeli !!! If this is what youre religion represents...... you can keep it because me and mine reject it and all it stands for. Remember Rabin hevri !!!!......... and remember just who it was that shot an Israeli hero in the back at age 73 .

Everday i read about 'Israeli Arabs' helping their brothers http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3320725,00.html

The Church of Rabin And Peace http://church-of-rabin.tripod.com/index.html

You say: "Hullo !! [The people killed by Rabin on the Altalena] were traitors to the State ..... just like Yigal Amir is ... just like the Kahanists are. Shame we can't shoot them all." Really? Why can't we? There are still a few survivors of the Altalena left alive. Why don't you track them down, and put your money where your mouth is? I am thankful that there are Israeli leftists like yourself, who aren't afraid to say what you really think; thereby exposing the true face of the left.

That would work if I was a Leftist ..... I'm not . The Left would make Peace with you to ....... I won't EVER !! To me you are as much my enemy as Hamas and Hizbullah are ..... and me and mine will fight terror where ever we find it .... even if it is amongst our own . Meir Kahane was WRONG .... anybody that supports him or the Kach movement or any other traitors like Jonathan Pollard or Yigal Amir do NOT belong in my country. Stay in America .