Friends, family remember Rabin
Small private ceremony in memory of assassinated prime minister held in Jerusalem Friday; attendants slam growing conspiracy theories, lament media attention given to killer Yigal Amir
The ceremony, which was held by Rabin’s gravesite on Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl to mark 10th years since his assassination, was held on November 4th, the day Rabin was killed. However, the official memorial day, set according to the Hebrew date, will only be marked in two weeks.
Shimon Peres at ceremony (Photo: Haim Tsach)
During the ceremony, attendants sang Rabin’s favorite song, Ha’reut (The Friendship.) The late PM’s family members who attended the ceremony - his daughter Dalia and his sister Rachel – refrained from addressing the crowd.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Premier and Rabin’s peace partner Shimon Peres said: “What he started will never be forgotten and we shall continue to act in the same way until we shall achieve the most noble goal of our life, and that is peace among ourselves and our neighbors."
‘Conspiracy theories baseless’
Following the ceremony, Interior Minister Ophir Pines said he is very frustrated about what is happening in Israel at this time.
“It turned into a Yigal Amir festival,” Pines said, referring to Rabin’s killer. “We hear conspiracy theories…and all sorts of delusional things. Rabin’s memory is being undermined and a phenomenon is being created that in the bottom line means the denial of Rabin’s murder. I think what’s happening here must be stopped.”
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak also addressed the conspiracy theories, saying they were “baseless and disconnected from reality.”
“It’s difficult for me to understand the willingness to even deal with them,” he said. “The man is buried and everything is known and clear.”
Attendants sang the national anthem to mark the ceremony’s end. Shortly thereafter, heavy rains began pouring down on the cemetery.
Britain: Rabin was consummate statesman
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Friday Rabin was the “consummate statesman.”
“A man of great integrity, he dedicated his life to the State of Israel, first in the military, then as a politician. As Prime Minister, he made difficult and courageous decisions in his search for peace and was undaunted by the many obstacles he face,” Straw said.
AP contributed to the report
