Special: Rabin’s last interview
Ynetnews presents Rabin’s last English-language interview; masses expected at weekend rally, to be attended by former President Bill Clinton
On the eve of the main memorial ceremony in honor of Yitzhak Rabin, Ynetnews presents the last English-language audio interview with the late prime minister.
The interview is presented courtesy of IsraCast, an independent, multimedia broadcast and distribution network that focuses on Israeli foreign affairs and defense issues.
In the interview, Rabin addresses tough questions about negotiations with the Palestinians, while referring to the Palestinian Authority and Arafat as “our partners” for peace.
Rabin argues that in the long run separation is the best solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for terrorism, and says he will continue pursuing policies he believes would lead Israel to a permanent settlement.
“I believe there is a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he says.
Masses expected at Rabin rally
Hundreds of thousands of people will attend the main memorial ceremony to mark 10 years to the assassination of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, event organizers estimate.
Meanwhile, police officials expect about 100,000 to attend the event, to be held at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square at 8:30 p.m. Many of those who were on stage during the peace rally 10 years ago, where Rabin was murdered, will attend Saturday’s ceremony, where one microphone will remain orphaned in memory of Rabin.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton will visit the Square for the first time and deliver a speech at the rally. Other speakers will include Vice Premier Shimon Peres, Justice and Immigration Absorption Minister Tzipi Livni, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, and Rabin’s grandson Yonatan Ben-Artzi.
President George W. Bush decided to send a presidential delegation to the event that will include Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Secretary of State James Baker, among others.
Police to deploy in force
One of the organizers, Hemi Sal, said “the rally will be very significant in terms of its power, message, and uniqueness.”
Overall, 1,500 police, Border Guard forces, sappers, mounted forces, and volunteers will deploy in force to secure the event. The streets around the square will be closed to traffic starting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Sal added much of the rally would be dedicated to the one 10 years ago when Rabin was killed.
“We will reenact some of the moments we had then,” he said. “The climax would be the redoing of Song for Peace, with the original performers and the figures who were on stage back then. The crowd would be able to view during those moments images from 10 years ago, alongside today’s reality.”
Avi Cohen contributed to the story
