10,000 Rally to Remember Yitzhak Rabin
Around 10,000 people gathered in Rabin Square in central Tel Aviv on Saturday evening for a memorial for the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated 16 years ago by a right-wing Jewish extremist.
“Since the murder, many have stood over Rabin’s grave and sworn to continue his path,” former Meretz leader Yossi Sarid told the crowd. “These are imaginary heirs, bearing his name in vain. Yitzhak Rabin was murdered and with him his path was murdered. This is the truth. Rabin is waiting for an heir.”
Attorney and Israeli National Left leader Eldad Yaniv told the crowd that in the wake of the recent wave of legislation that critics see as anti-democratic, as well as a spate of “price tag” attacks, that “Israel will remain democratic, and no one will be able to change that. To get there we need not wait for a responsible adult to lead us to the promised land. We must believe we are strong enough to dream of a new country.”
The Yitzhak Rabin Center, which has traditionally been in charge of the memorial event, decided not to participate in its organizing this year. Instead, a new organization called “November 4, 1995” was in charge of organizing and funding the event.
Rabin’s daughter Dalia has said the annual event has run its course.
None of Rabin’s family members were set to speak at the event.
The event was originally scheduled to be held last weekend but was postponed due to weather.
Peace Now leader Hagit Ofran also addressed the crowd and there were performances by several Israeli music stars.The event was hosted by Israeli comedian and actor Shaike Levi.
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