Former Israeli Crime Boss Recalls Prison Meeting with Yigal Amir, Rabin’s Assassin

Yossi Harari, once a dominant figure in Israel's 1990s criminal underworld, recounted a chilling encounter with Yigal Amir, the assassin of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, during their time together in prison. In an interview with Omri Asenheim on Channel 13's "Asenheim" program, airing Thursday at 21:30, Harari described a lengthy conversation with Amir, emphasizing the assassin's complete lack of remorse for killing Rabin.

Harari recalled telling Amir he was deeply angry and that no one has the right to take the life of a prime minister, military chief, or defense minister over political beliefs. The discussion lasted several hours, during which Amir remained steadfast and unapologetic about his actions. Harari said, "If we were outside and Amir had not been caught, I would have killed him myself."

Asenheim reminded Harari of a previous statement where he said some people make him willing to be "the executioner, the gravedigger." Harari confirmed Amir was one of those people, explaining he was ready to take on those roles because Amir harmed the entire country. Harari led the Ramot Amidar gang and was a major target of Israeli police during the violent gang wars of the mid-1990s. He later claimed to have left the criminal world, presenting himself as a businessman and author.

The interview offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of Amir from the perspective of a former criminal who confronted him directly in prison, highlighting the enduring impact of Rabin's assassination on Israeli society.