Youth Gather to Mark 31 Years Since Rabin Assassination, Call for Unity
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Thousands of Israeli youth gathered at Mount Herzl to mark 31 years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The event, themed "Building a Shared Future Together," featured youth from diverse backgrounds calling for unity and condemning incitement. Speakers, including parents of fallen soldiers and a survivor of the October 7th attacks, emphasized shared responsibility for Israel's future and the dangers of division turning into hatred. The assembly aimed to foster a pragmatic discourse and promote unity over extremism.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Thousands of Israeli youth gathered at Mount Herzl to commemorate 31 years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
- The event, "Building a Shared Future Together," featured diverse youth calling for unity and condemning incitement.
- Speakers stressed shared responsibility for Israel's future and the dangers of division turning into hatred.
- Parents of fallen soldiers and an October 7th survivor urged belief in a better future and kind words.
- KKL Chairman warned of politicians reigniting division and called for courageous, responsible leadership.
Thousands of Israeli youth gathered at Mount Herzl on Wednesday evening to commemorate 31 years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The event, titled "Building a Shared Future Together," brought together Jewish and Arab youth, religious and secular participants, and representatives from various youth movements.
The central message of the assembly was that while disagreement is a natural part of democracy, it must not devolve into incitement and violence. Participants emphasized that the responsibility for Israel's future is shared by all.
Sarit Sussman, mother of the late Sgt. Ben Sussman, spoke about the choice made 31 years ago, calling it "criminal." She expressed hope in the joint stand of the youth, stating that words led to the tragedy but can also create a better world. She urged them to believe in themselves and in each other, choosing to believe in a positive future and speaking kind words.
Former Minister of Science Yizhar Shay, father of the late Sgt. Major Yaron Shay, recalled that Rabin's assassin not only killed a dear person but also attempted to kill hope and the democratic spirit of Israel. He stressed that everyone has a role in ensuring the nation's existence and security.
Rotem Bachar, a survivor of the October 7th events from Kibbutz Be'eri, highlighted the need to live together even after disagreements and elections. He warned that Rabin's assassination serves as a reminder of what happens when division turns to hatred, urging everyone to prevent this and take responsibility for healing the wounded nation.
Eyal Osterinsky, Chairman of the Jewish National Fund (KKL), described Rabin's memory as a warning and a call to action. He stated that the "fire that tore us apart then is being reignited by activists and politicians who fuel it daily." Osterinsky called for leadership with courage and national responsibility, noting that the youth present demonstrate a public thirst for change. He emphasized that while strong disagreement is permissible, the shared home is sacred, and it is their duty to lead a state-level, pragmatic discourse to build a future where responsibility triumphs over extremism and brings true unity.
The assembly was organized by the "Remembering the Assassination, Fighting for Democracy" coalition of youth movements, with participation from numerous prominent movements.
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