Biden joins Israelis in honoring Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin

Joe Biden joined 'Israelis in honoring Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin z'l' on Thursday, as the nation marked 25 years since the assassination that left an entire nation in shock. 'He led a life of service to his country and its security,' Biden tweeted, adding that Rabin 'bravely gave his life pursuing peace.' Biden concluded his tweet by saying that he 'was honored to call [Rabin] a friend.' The Israeli nation recently mourned Rabin's death on the 25th anniversary of his assassination - carried out by right-wing extremist Yigal Amir who opposed Rabin's peace initiative and the signing of the Oslo Accords. President Reuven Rivlin, during the commemoration ceremony held at his official residence on Thursday, addressed the issue of incitement that led to Rabin's assassination 25 years ago and still haunts the Israeli society to this day. “It cannot be that we permit the next possible murder – even the slightest possibility – by what we say or what we fail to say, by looking or failing to look, by actions or by inaction,' the president said. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi paid his respects to Rabin by distributing a letter to IDF personnel and emphasizing the lessons that must be learnt from the tragic incident. 'The message still resonates with us,' Kochavi wrote, adding that 'the IDF implements it on a weekly basis.' He emphasized that 'in order to ensure the continued existence and safety of the country, we must deepen our understanding of the murder's meaning as a symbol of hatred and division, and to remember that even during times characterized by disagreements, we must remain a united military serving a united nation.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out during the Knesset's memorial service for Rabin that he himself has become the target of incitement. “Not against Jews, not against Arabs, not against protesters and not against leaders. Today, 25 years after Rabin's assassination, there is this incitement to murder the prime minister and his family every day, and almost no one does anything,' Netanyahu said. Netanyahu was criticized for comparing his situation to that of Rabin's, with several MKs blaming him for preparing the ground that eventually led to Rabin's assassination. Economy Minister Amir Peretz, who holds Rabin's former post of Labor Party chairman, said that the hate of Rabin's assassin, Yigal Amir, was fed to him by “sources of authority.” Gil Hoffman and Greer Fay Cashman contributed to this report.

Biden joins Israelis in honoring Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin

"He led a life of service to his country and its security," Biden tweeted, adding that Rabin "bravely gave his life pursuing peace."

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Biden joins Israelis in honoring Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin

"He led a life of service to his country and its security," Biden tweeted, adding that Rabin "bravely gave his life pursuing peace."

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