Israel Marks 31 Years Since Rabin Assassination With State Memorial Ceremonies

Israel is commemorating 31 years since the assassination of Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin with two state memorial ceremonies on Thursday. The first, "Ner Yitzhak," is being held at the President's Residence in Jerusalem at 1:00 PM, and the second, a memorial for Yitzhak and Leah Rabin, is taking place at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem at 3:00 PM. The Mount Herzl ceremony also marks 26 years since the passing of Leah Rabin.

Speaking at the President's Residence ceremony, President Yitzhak Herzog stated that the three shots fired 31 years ago targeted not only the Prime Minister but also "the heart of the nation." He emphasized that the assassin sought to impose his will above public discourse and resolve disputes through violence, thereby threatening Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state. Herzog warned against calls for the release of assassin Yigal Amir, citing a sign he saw on Highway 1. He asserted that the mere possibility of such a call being made publicly and met with indifference is deeply concerning and should not be dismissed as mere provocation. The President stressed that the passage of time does not diminish the severity of assassinating a prime minister and that the assassin must "finish his life in prison" without any possibility of parole or clemency.

President Herzog also cautioned against threats to elected officials and incitement to political violence, declaring that "there is no place for political violence in a proper state. There is no place for violence, period." He described the memorial candle as a "warning light" intended to pass on the lessons of the assassination to future generations.

The ceremony at Mount Herzl, in addition to commemorating the 31st anniversary of Rabin's assassination, also marks 26 years since the death of his wife, Leah. The event is being hosted by Sivan Sisai and will be attended by President Yitzhak Herzog and his wife Michal, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Simone Davidson, and Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit. Also participating are Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Inspector General Dani Levi, and Shin Bet Head David Zini, along with senior representatives from the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jerusalem Municipality.

The ceremony will commence with the lighting of a memorial torch by great-grandchildren Omer Rotman and Adam Ben Artzi. Grandchild Yonatan Ben Artzi will recite Kaddish and speak on behalf of the family. President Herzog will deliver an address, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony involving additional great-grandchildren Amalia Rotman and Ariel Ben Artzi. The recitation of Psalms will be led by Chief Rabbi of the IDF Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim, and the prayer "El Maleh Rachamim" will be recited by Chief Cantor of the IDF Lt. Col. Shai Abramson. Musical performances will include Riviv Kenner singing "Levoch Etach" (To Cry For You), with the ceremony concluding with the singing of "Hatikvah."