ITZHAK RABIN (1.3.1922 - 4.11.1995)



"Prime-minister was shot at peaceful rally".
I do not know where to begin:
External foe became his close ally,
The enemy has grown up from within.

"To bring the peace, the talks should go faster".
My own views were different from his,
So many people saw them as disaster;
But who could think his life to end like this?

At sixty-eight, the killer was created;
Him, how'd been afforded to ignore?
A year before that, Rabin devastated
Five Arab armies at the Six-day war.

At Middle East, the logic doesn't count.
These things I can at no rate explain -
The Arab leaders grieved on Herzl Mount,
While Jewish soldier was to cause the pain.

The history has taught that obligations
One takes for peace are rather fruitful... But
Exceptions do exist, as own nations
Assassinated Rabin and Saddat.

"We need the shield, the sword", I said - I told that
My views were very different from his.
He didn't wear the shield, and he was murdered.
I feel ashamed. I'm sorry. Rest in peace.


Being in a state of constant disagreement with Rabin's policy of talks with murderers, I was nevertheless shocked and disgusted with the way he was opposed, the shots into his back. I was in shock for long hours, and then came these 24 lines.

Ariga's Rabin Memorial and my own comments

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