While Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is often mentioned in connection with opposition to former premier Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995, the role of other politicians has been forgotten, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin told Israel Radio on Wednesday.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski
Memorial ceremonies marking 14 years since Rabin's assassination will be held throughout Israel on Thursday.
"Over the years, a historical Photoshop [rendition] has erased from the public memory figures that were prominent in their protest against Yitzhak Rabin. While no one will forget Prime Minister Netanyahu's photo at Zion Square, people such as [former premiers] Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert and [MK] Tzahi Hanegbi have become the public's darlings," said Rivlin.
Rivlin was referring to a photograph of Netanyahu, then the Likud leader, at the infamous Zion Square rally in Jerusalem where Rabin was called a traitor.
Army Radio, meanwhile, revealed that several days before he was assassinated by Yigal Amir, Rabin said he was not worried about his personal safety and blamed the Likud for creating an unprecedented atmosphere of verbal violence.
"It's enough to hear some of the MKs' speeches at the Knesset and their public statements to understand that the Likud cannot shirk responsibility for creating the background to this unprecedented verbal violence. Rallies attended by Likud members are led by extremists."
Former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin z"l.
"The general atmosphere of verbal violence later leads to physical violence," Rabin warned. "These things shouldn't lead to silence nor escape. No one will silence me." President Shimon Peres will hold a ceremony to light the "Yitzhak Candle" at Beit Hanassi on Wednesday evening.
Memorial ceremonies marking 14 years since Rabin's assassination will be held at the Knesset and in schools and universities around Israel on Thursday. On Thursday afternoon, the official state memorial service will be held at Mount Herzl Cemetery.
The central memorial rally at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv will be held on Saturday night.
