Assassin Yigal Amir Seeks Rare Leave to Visit Critically Ill Father

Yigal Amir, who assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin nearly 31 years ago and has been imprisoned ever since, has filed an unusual request to be granted a 48-hour leave to visit his ailing 85-year-old father, Shlomo Amir. This marks the first time Amir has requested such a leave, having been denied all previous requests for family events, including his sister's wedding in 2003, his son's circumcision in 2007, and his son's bar mitzvah in 2020. The latter was held within the prison walls.

Amir's wife, Larissa Trembovler, stated that his father is suffering from bone and spine cancer with metastases, along with other illnesses. His lawyers warned the court that the "window of opportunity to meet him may close at any moment." Amir has declared his willingness to accept any conditions, including strict supervision, escorts, and financial guarantees, for the temporary release.

The request has already sparked a confrontation with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has reportedly opposed it. Trembovler criticized the minister's refusal, calling it an "exceptional humanitarian request." Amir is now urging the court to compel Ben-Gvir to respond and hold an urgent hearing.

While Amir's nearly three-decade imprisonment is lengthy, he is not the only long-term inmate in Israel. Ramzi Hamed, convicted of three murders, has been imprisoned since 1982, and Ami Popper, convicted of murdering seven Palestinian laborers, began his sentence in May 1990. Unlike Amir, Popper has been granted leaves, and his sentence was even considered for commutation. Ofer Shimon has been serving a sentence since April 1994.

Prison service regulations allow for special leaves in exceptional humanitarian circumstances, subject to the Commissioner's approval. However, Amir's request was denied on September 28 due to his perceived dangerousness, intelligence and security objections, and a lack of sufficient medical justification. Amir argues that his personal circumstances should be considered, not just the severity of his crime. The petition is being filed close to the 31st anniversary of Rabin's assassination on November 4, 1995. No decision has yet been reported on Amir's latest appeal.