Rabin writes 'I forgive' before murder
State Archives reveals letter written by slain prime minister two months before his assasination, in which he forgives two teens accused of distributing stickers calling for his death. 'Despite severity of actions, I see fit to accept apology,' writes Rabin
"I forgive" – A year before he was assassinated, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin responded to death threats he received in a letter sent to the attorney of two young men from Or Akiva, who were accused of distributing stickers that read: "Rabin must be killed."
In the letter, Rabin wrote: "It is not only the life of the prime minister that is in stake, but the life of Israeli society as a Jewish, democratic one."
The late prime minister accepted the defendants' apology and expressed hope that "the lesson will serve as a warning sign."
Rabin's letter, dated September 14, 1994 – a few days before Yom Kippur – was revealed by the Israel State Archives, as part of a commemoration book about the former prime minister, which is being written these days.
In the letter, Rabin warns of infringing on Israel's democratic nature; "We must do everything in our power to preserve the freedom of expression without it turning into a civil war, and we must facilitate a situation in which all the authorized institutions of the State can operate properly without being exposed to violence."
Incident was 'prank'
In October 1993 the police arrested two young men from Or Akiva, on suspicion that they prepared and distributed stickers that read: "Rabin must be killed." The two were indicted at the Hadera Magistrate's Court and accused of acts of incitement and distributing inciting materials.
As part of their plea bargain, the two pled guilty and were sentenced to three months in prison, which were later commuted to community service, probation and a fine.
After the court accepted the plea bargains, the defendants' attorney, Avraham Vanuno, expressed regret on their behalf and sent a letter to Rabin, in which he claimed the whole incident was "a prank."
"We regret our actions…We understand that the State of Israel is in the midst of an important and delicate process, as if it was sitting on a barrel of gunpowder. Our act is like a lit match that is thrown into the barrel, and might explode at any moment," the letter read.
"We understand the significance of the peace process to the residents of the State of Israel, to our soldiers, the entire security establishment, the Palestinians, our leaders and theirs. We welcome the peace process," they concluded.
'I accept apology'
Two months later, in September 1994, Rabin sent Vanuno a response in which he wrote: "Despite the severity of these actions and in the spirit of forgiveness on the eve of Yom Kippur, I see fit to accept the apology, and on a personal level – I forgive (it).""Nevertheless," Rabin asserted, "Your clients violated one of the basic codes of Israeli society – they forsook the legitimate tool of expression in a democratic regime and opted to call for the murder of a prime minister."
Rabin also impliedly criticized the judge's ruling, who said "you never know how such a publication may influence an individual; such things have happened in the past."
"Although the court did not hand down an alleviated sentence – and rightfully so – I am not convinced that the ruling reflected the full severity of the defendants' actions in a satisfactory manner," Rabin noted.
"The State of Israel," he added, "Is at a crossroad these days. It needs to decide on its relationship with the neighboring Arab states and the Palestinian people sitting in the land of Israel.
"It needs to decide on the content of its political agreements and the price it is willing to pay. Needless to say, these are fateful decisions, which are naturally accompanied by a fierce public debate that encompasses the different segments of Israeli society. This debate is democracy's breath of air."
Rabin concluded his letter with a positive tone, expressing hope that the necessary lessons be learned. "I hope that the regret is sincere, and that the lesson learned will serve as a warning sign to all those who contemplate choosing violent ways over legal means."
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