Herzog Marks Rabin Assassination Anniversary, Warns Against Political Violence

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President Isaac Herzog marked the anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination, warning against political violence and stating that elections are not a civil war. He insisted that Rabin's assassin, Yigal Amir, should receive no clemency and must serve his full sentence. Herzog urged politicians and the public to uphold democratic values and respect differing opinions, while Rabin's grandson, Yonatan Ben-Artzi, also spoke about defending democracy.

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President Herzog warned against political violence at the Rabin assassination memorial ceremony.
Herzog stated that elections are not a civil war and violence must be rejected.
He insisted Rabin's assassin, Yigal Amir, should receive no clemency.
Herzog called for respecting debate and upholding democracy's red lines.
Rabin's grandson, Yonatan Ben-Artzi, also spoke on defending democracy.

Herzog Marks Rabin Assassination Anniversary, Warns Against Political Violence — איור מערכת שנוצר על ידי baba News, לא צילום של האירוע.

President Isaac Herzog marked the state memorial ceremony for the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on Thursday, stating that "political violence from any side must not be given a place." Speaking at Mount Herzl, Herzog emphasized that "elections are not a civil war" and urged politicians, commentators, and opinion leaders to be cautious with their words, asserting that "debate must be respected. Violence must be rejected."

Herzog also addressed the issue of clemency for Yigal Amir, Rabin's assassin, declaring, "The wicked murderer must finish his life in prison. Period. Without any reduction, pardon, or commutation." He described this as a red line that Israeli society must uphold, adding that one does not need to agree with a leader's decisions to be horrified by their murder or to recognize the national tragedy.

"This day, the memorial day for Rabin's assassination, has no political entrance exam. It belongs to everyone," Herzog stated. He appealed to all candidates and citizens, urging them to remember Rabin's final words, which he called a testament: "Violence is an erosion of the foundations of Israeli democracy." The President stressed that a nation's ability to draw a clear line against those who seek to resolve disputes through murder or political violence is vital for its existence.

Looking ahead to elections, Herzog reminded attendees that the right to win is contingent on accepting the opponent's right to win, a principle that must be defended before, during, and after voting. Rabin's grandson, Yonatan Ben-Artzi, also spoke about the need to defend democracy, stating that it only exists when citizens are willing to protect it, even when angry or afraid. Ben-Artzi recalled a disturbing comment from his company commander before the assassination and described Rabin's murder as an attempt to resolve a political dispute with bullets rather than through the Knesset and ballot box, damaging the country's ability to manage disagreements without resorting to hatred and violence.