31 Years After Rabin's Assassination, His Absence is Felt More Than Ever

Thirty-one years after the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, retired Brigadier General Shimon Hefetz reflects on the enduring legacy and the qualities of leadership that are sorely missed in Israel today. Hefetz argues that the nation requires a leader with Rabin's courage, morality, authority, values, humility, and willingness to take responsibility.

Hefetz draws parallels between Rabin's warnings in his 1992 speech about the dangers of complacency, encapsulated by the phrase "it will be okay," and the current government's alleged failure to take responsibility for significant shortcomings. He quotes Rabin's 1992 statement, "One of our most painful problems has a name, 'it will be okay'... Behind these two words usually hides everything that is not 'okay'... That friendly pat on the shoulder, that wink, that 'count on me,' are a sign of lack of order and discipline, of missing professionalism, of existing idleness. The atmosphere of 'shoddy work' is, unfortunately, widespread in many sectors of Israeli society."

The article highlights Rabin's foresight in identifying the Iranian threat, recalling his 1993 presentation to U.S. officials outlining this danger. Hefetz credits Rabin's contributions to the IDF's strength, which is evident on the battlefield today. He contrasts the successes on the battlefield with the government's inability to translate these into political achievements, such as further Abraham Accords.

Hefetz emphasizes the need for a healing process and the cultivation of new leadership following the perceived breach of trust between the political echelon and the citizens after the October 7th attacks. He praises the generation of October 7th for stepping up and transitioning from defense to offense, comparing their bravery to that of the 1948 generation, including Rabin himself as commander of the Harel Brigade.

Recalling Rabin's 1994 words from the U.S., "We are in one of the most fateful and important hours of the Jewish people... But it is important that we all know, in Israel and in the diaspora, that whatever the decisions may be, true love of Israel underlies them and before our eyes always the ancient saying: 'All of Israel are responsible for one another.' We do not forget for a moment that whether supporting our moves or opposing them - we are all brothers, we are all Jews and we share one destiny," Hefetz notes the continuation of Israeli mutual responsibility through civilian volunteering and efforts to rebuild and assist where the state has failed.

He calls for genuine unity, citing the example of Peres, Shamir, and Rabin in 1984 who acted together rather than just speaking. With elections approaching, Hefetz stresses the need for a trustworthy, responsible, and united leadership committed first and foremost to the state and society. The article concludes by marking November 4, 1995, the date of Rabin's assassination by a Jewish extremist, as a turning point for Israeli democracy and a national trauma.