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Honorable President,
Dear Rabin family,
Madam Speaker of the Knesset,
Honorable President of the Supreme Court,
Honorable Chief Rabbis,
Ministers, Members of Knesset,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For twelve years – one fifth of Israel's 60 tumultuous years – we have been living under the shadow of the murderous assassination of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Yitzhak Rabin. For the entire 48 years which preceded the murder, Yitzhak's life was wholly dedicated to the service of his people. "Mr. Security" was his nickname, and indeed, from the time of his youth in the Palmach to his dying day, Yitzhak was occupied, as a fighter and illustrious commander and as a supreme leader and statesman, with the revival and defense of the State of Israel and in consolidating its military strength and ensuring its existence, its future and its well-being.
Until that Saturday evening of the 11th of Heshvan, 1995, we had the naiveté to believe that we were immune as Jews – and as members of a free, democratic nation, which has been fighting for its very existence since its inception – to the sword of brotherly hatred. Did we not hear well, prior to the murder, the influx of frenzied voices, the uninhibited blasphemy, the rampant incitement? Did we not see the animosity, the shameful signs, the despicable "pulsa denura" rituals? It was not as if we sealed our ears or shut our eyes. We heard and saw everything, but the warning bell within us stood silent. We were unable to see that even the most liberal democracy is not expected and is not allowed to completely remove all boundaries or restrictions to freedom of speech. The writing engraved on the wall in big letters was clearly visible, but beyond our cognitive grasp. For who could have conceived the inconceivable?
There is no one in Israel who does not remember precisely where they were and what they did when news of the murder broke out. We all felt our hearts beating in the time which passed between the initial, vague news and the dreadful and terrifying announcement, which terminated any hope: "the Government of Israel announces with shock, profound grief and deep agony, the death of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Yitzhak Rabin, who was murdered by an assassin this evening in Tel Aviv…".
At that terrible moment it seemed as though Israel's glow was darkened, and as though the dawn would never rise again. But then, from the depths of darkness, millions of tiny lights suddenly sparkled – the memorial candles and the candles of love, lit by the children of Israel and good citizens throughout the entire country, to expel the darkness and dispel the hatred and despair, and to speak out against the abominable assassin and his ilk: "and yet it still moves". Under no circumstances will the people of Israel's aspirations and pursuit of peace be curtailed by the bullets of a heinous, despicable murderer.
Yitzhak Rabin, son of Jerusalem, was revered in his life. As commander of Harel in 1948, he was an active participant in liberating Jerusalem from the siege and in breaking a path to the city. As IDF Chief of Staff he built the army's strength and oversaw the glorious battle in the Six Day War, which led to the unification of Jerusalem. As an outstanding ambassador in Washington he advanced the special alliance between Israel and the world's greatest superpower, and as Prime Minister, he signed the peace accord with the Kingdom of Jordan and courageously contended with the greatest and most difficult challenge of all – exploring avenues to resolve the conflict with our Palestinian neighbors. This challenge, which is yet to be fulfilled, was bequeathed to his successors, as a commitment and heritage.
Throughout it all, Yitzhak Rabin was accompanied by his devoted, loyal wife, who gave him a warm home and solid family support, out of complete solidarity and great love. Therefore, when remembering Yitzhak, we will also remember and cherish Leah Rabin, and acknowledge her own blessed activities in important social fields, to which she volunteered and in which she invested her enduring energy and wisdom.
Yitzhak Rabin gained eternal glory, and his name is engraved and cherished in numerous places worldwide. He will forever have a place of honor in the chapters of the history of the State of Israel. But we, who experienced the trauma of the murder, can no longer claim to be innocent. I must honestly confess that I am not entirely convinced that we have indeed learned and appropriately implemented the lesson. The name Yitzhak Rabin, which is now commemorated in every city and every pathway in Israel, must serve as a constant reminder and a vow that the "sword of brothers" will never again be raised among us.
May the memories of Yitzhak and Leah be blessed.
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