Laura's Israel Adventures: Yitzchak Rabin

Fourteen years ago Israel's Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin and thousands of other Israelis gathered together for a peace rally in Tel Aviv. The entire square, city, and country sang and prayed along with Rabin as they saw a hope for the future that many thought was impossible. But as Rabin exited the square the country's hopes and leader died when he was shot by an extremist Jew. A man so blinded by hatred for Rabin's work that he killed both literally and symbolically Israel's greatest chance of achieving peace. In Rabin's coat pocket they found the blood soaked sheet with the lyrics to the Israeli song "Shir L'Shalom" (Song for Peace).

The commemoration of Rabin's assassination is a major event with memorial services and ceremonies taking place all over the country in schools, shuls and public places. A few hours ago I attended the Bat Yam memorial ceremony. What struck me more than anything else was the mentality that Israelis seem to have concerning this tragic event. When we initially walked into the auditorium two pictures of Rabin were framing the words "לא תרצח"*. Throughout the evening, the speeches (which were all in Hebrew, by the way), the dances, songs and discussions I had with the Israeli Scouts on my program all focused on the evils of murder rather than Rabin's life accomplishments or a reaffirmation of his devotion to peace.

I'm having trouble describing this. Fourteen years later and the country is still dwelling more on the physical act of his murder rather than the metaphysical repercussions of the killing of Rabin and all he stood for. My impression from the ceremony was that many Israelis have only grasped one of the two major implications of this event. They make it abundantly clear that murder is wrong and we should not be fighting our own brothers. But very little is said along the lines of continuing Rabin's efforts for peace. It is as if they forgot the second half of the ceremony where they talk about Rabin's goals for the future of Eretz Yisrael. It is as if Rabin's death was also the end to any hope of achieving peace.

In my opinion, it's been fourteen years. It is long past time to pick up the reins and continue from where Rabin left off. It is important that this day be one of inspiration and renewed devotion to the future and not a day of wallowing in the sorrow of the failure of our past.