'Rabin assassin's brother belongs behind bars'
Slain prime minister's daughter, Dalia Rabin, speaks out ahead of Hagai Amir's release
Dalia Rabin said ahead of Hagai Amir's release that the man who helped plot her father's murder should remain behind bars forever.
Amir has served a 16.5-year sentence for his part in the conspiracy to assassinate Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, among other charges. He is to be released on Friday. His brother, Yigal Amir, who shot Rabin to death in 1995, is serving a life sentence in solitary confinement.
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In 2006, Hagai Amir was dealt an extra year of jail time for threatening then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He served most of his sentence in isolation, in part due to fears that other prisoners might hurt him. Moreover, the Israel Prison Service considered him a risk to national security, keeping him away from other inmates due to concerns he might preach his extremist agenda.
The slain prime minister's daughter told Ynet on Thursday that it is the Israeli government and society's duty to speak out on Amir's impending release.
"My personal feelings are harsh and I have no interest in sharing them," she said. "In the case of a prime minister's assassination, it is not the family's place to pass judgement, but the society's.
"I think that a responsible leadership in the State of Israel has the duty to say its piece – that people like that belong behind bars forever, or should at leased be shunned," she added.
Settlers 'unpleased' by Amir visit
Amir's long-term plans are unknown as of yet, but he is expected to spend the upcoming weekend in a West Bank settlement where his relatives reside. A source close to the family said that the plan was to bring him to "a place with a great view and good air," where he can begin rehabilitation. He is later expected to return to his parents' home in Herzliya.
Residents of the West Bank town insisted on keeping its name under wraps for fear they would be associated with Amir. Some residents said they will make attempts to convince the host family to cancel Amir's visit.
"This is a private visit. We have no way to stop it, but we are not pleased," one resident said.
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