Clinton encourages Israelis to carry on legacy of Rabin 20 years after assassination

[webfact]

Clinton encourages Israelis to carry on legacy of Rabin 20 years after assassination



TEL AVIV: -- Tens of thousands of Israelis have gathered together in Tel Aviv to mark the twentieth anniversary of the assassination of Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin.

The ceremony was held at Rabin Square, where the leader was gunned down and which was later named in his honour.

Former US president Bill Clinton spoke to the crowd behind bullet-proof glass:

“All of you now must decide, when you leave here and the beautiful music and moving films and stunning story of his life, how to finish his legacy. For the last chapter must be written by the people he gave his life to save and to nourish.”

Current US President, Barack Obama also addressed the crowd in a video message and said of Rabin that “a bullet can take a man’s life but his spirit, his dream for peace will never die.”

Speakers and demonstrators took aim at the hardline policies of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The rally to remember Rabin is held annually.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-11-02

[arfurcrown]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

[ezzra]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

But than again, if it weren't for the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist who against all odds, took this barren, swampy, mosquitos infested swath of land, fighting the British and sea of backward, menacing, well armed Arabs and made it to what it is today, what of the most advance country in the world.... CAN ANY OTHER ARAB COUNTRY SAY THE SAME?

[JingerBen]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

But than again, if it weren't for the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist who

against all odds, took this barren, swampy, mosquitos infested swath of land, fighting the British and sea

of backward, menacing, well armed Arabs and made it to what it is today, what of the most advance country

in the world.... CAN ANY OTHER ARAB COUNTRY SAY THE SAME?

Any other country on earth - Arab or otherwise - could say the same if they had the overwhelming support from the US, Europe, and the international Jewish community that Israel enjoyed at its founding in 1948.

But what have they done with that support? They have refused to live within their borders and have committed war crimes and land grabs in the name of realizing the Zionist dream of Eretz Israel.

Israel is becoming a rogue state and Zionism is becoming a dirty word.

[Ulysses G.]

Please stop with the usual nonsense. Israel did not get a lot of material support when it first began and the USSR was lot more helpful than the USA. If you want to make up false history, please post it on one of the hater websites.

[abrahamzvi]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

But than again, if it weren't for the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist who

against all odds, took this barren, swampy, mosquitos infested swath of land, fighting the British and sea

of backward, menacing, well armed Arabs and made it to what it is today, what of the most advance country

in the world.... CAN ANY OTHER ARAB COUNTRY SAY THE SAME?

Ezra, you are mixing things . The Zionists who built the present Israel, pesonalities like Ben Gurion and Rabin, who established it, did make mistakes, but were democrats and were fighting for a democratic egalitarian society in Israel. The extreme right nationalistic neo fascist settlers, are leading Israel to its doom. The present Israeli government headed by Mr. Netanyahu, who at times contradicts himself two times a week, wants no peace and he himself admitted recently that Israel will live by its sword practically forever. No country, or society can live by its sword forever, and if Mr. Netanyahu had studied history, he would have learnt of great empires which disappeared because they thought they could live by their swords forever. Even the crusaders had to learn this lesson in the "Holy Land". If Israel continues its undemocratic, expansionist policies it will meet the same fate. It will be a disaster for the Jewish people worldwide!

[JingerBen]

Please stop with the usual nonsense. Israel did not get a lot of material support when it first began and the USSR was lot more helpful than the USA. If you want to make up false history, please post it on one of the hater websites.

Your statement is just plain wrong.

It's a good example of Zionist propaganda with its infinite capacity for clever duplicity.

[abrahamzvi]

Please stop with the usual nonsense. Israel did not get a lot of material support when it first began and the USSR was lot more helpful than the USA. If you want to make up false history, please post it on one of the hater websites.

I suggest you study the history of Israel. Even to day the USA is granting Israel 3 Billion Dollars annually in addition to the military aid. The financial support Israel has been receiving (with good reason) from world Jewery amounts to hundreds of billions of Dollars. All these are undeniable facts, which neither you, nor anyone else can quarrel with!

[JingerBen]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

But than again, if it weren't for the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist who

against all odds, took this barren, swampy, mosquitos infested swath of land, fighting the British and sea

of backward, menacing, well armed Arabs and made it to what it is today, what of the most advance country

in the world.... CAN ANY OTHER ARAB COUNTRY SAY THE SAME?

Ezra, you are mixing things . The Zionists who built the present Israel, pesonalities like Ben Gurion and Rabin, who established it, did make mistakes, but were democrats and were fighting for a democratic egalitarian society in Israel. The extreme right nationalistic neo fascist settlers, are leading Israel to its doom. The present Israeli government headed by Mr. Netanyahu, who at times contradicts himself two times a week, wants no peace and he himself admitted recently that Israel will live by its sword practically forever. No country, or society can live by its sword forever, and if Mr. Netanyahu had studied history, he would have learnt of great empires which disappeared because they thought they could live by their swords forever. Even the crusaders had to learn this lesson in the "Holy Land". If Israel continues its undemocratic, expansionist policies it will meet the same fate. It will be a disaster for the Jewish people worldwide!

Excellent post.

Some very good points expressed with admirable clarity and fairness.

[Thorgal]

Please stop with the usual nonsense. Israel did not get a lot of material support when it first began and the USSR was lot more helpful than the USA. If you want to make up false history, please post it on one of the hater websites.

France was the main weapon supplier to Israel since the beginning. Until the French weapons embargo on Israel followed by the Cherbourg case/scandal.

Czechs and USSR provided smaller quantities.

From 1967, the US was main supplier till today.

Here again, you're wrong...

Edited November 2, 2015 by Thorgal

[Rancid]

One former and one current US president paying homage. What other countries do they also do that for?

[Morch]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

Rabin, his party, and the Oslo Accords were not in the height of their popularity at the time of the murder.

The Oslo Accords were passed through parliament with minimal support, and even that was on some very dodgy terms.

The Labor party lost the in the next elections, a mere 7 months after the murder.

And all this to the background of continues Palestinian terror attacks.

Assuming that Rabin could have carried the day and achieve a final agreement is not necessarily an accurate description of the balance of powers at the time.

Declaring that people would be living in unity and peace by now, is just cheap fantasy marketing.

[Morch]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

But than again, if it weren't for the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist who

against all odds, took this barren, swampy, mosquitos infested swath of land, fighting the British and sea

of backward, menacing, well armed Arabs and made it to what it is today, what of the most advance country

in the world.... CAN ANY OTHER ARAB COUNTRY SAY THE SAME?

Any other country on earth - Arab or otherwise - could say the same if they had the overwhelming support from the US, Europe, and the international Jewish community that Israel enjoyed at its founding in 1948.

But what have they done with that support? They have refused to live within their borders and have committed war crimes and land grabs in the name of realizing the Zionist dream of Eretz Israel.

Israel is becoming a rogue state and Zionism is becoming a dirty word.

What "overwhelming" actual support did Israel have at the outset?

And again, those regurgitating out of context terms in Hebrew, as if it lends some credibility to their claims, may want to have clue before posting.

I don't know that Zionism is a dirty word, I'm sure that some, including certain posters, are doing their best to make it so.

[Steely Dan]

Please stop with the usual nonsense. Israel did not get a lot of material support when it first began and the USSR was lot more helpful than the USA. If you want to make up false history, please post it on one of the hater websites.

I suggest you study the history of Israel. Even to day the USA is granting Israel 3 Billion Dollars annually in addition to the military aid. The financial support Israel has been receiving (with good reason) from world Jewery amounts to hundreds of billions of Dollars. All these are undeniable facts, which neither you, nor anyone else can quarrel with!

Money invested (yes Invested) comes back with interest. This is so in every area from medicine to agriculture, to high tech to military; which is all in marked contrast to money wasted in supporting a booming unproductive Palestinian population. Iron dome alone will sell for a small fortune and is about to be sold to the GCC states of all people.

[RuamRudy]

Please stop with the usual nonsense. Israel did not get a lot of material support when it first began and the USSR was lot more helpful than the USA. If you want to make up false history, please post it on one of the hater websites.

I suggest you study the history of Israel. Even to day the USA is granting Israel 3 Billion Dollars annually in addition to the military aid. The financial support Israel has been receiving (with good reason) from world Jewery amounts to hundreds of billions of Dollars. All these are undeniable facts, which neither you, nor anyone else can quarrel with!

Money invested (yes Invested) comes back with interest. This is so in every area from medicine to agriculture, to high tech to military; which is all in marked contrast to money wasted in supporting a booming unproductive Palestinian population. Iron dome alone will sell for a small fortune and is about to be sold to the GCC states of all people.

Good post because it highlights the truth - profit and greed trump all else. If money spent kicking a dying people can turn a profit, then it is not money wasted.

[Steely Dan]

Please stop with the usual nonsense. Israel did not get a lot of material support when it first began and the USSR was lot more helpful than the USA. If you want to make up false history, please post it on one of the hater websites.

I suggest you study the history of Israel. Even to day the USA is granting Israel 3 Billion Dollars annually in addition to the military aid. The financial support Israel has been receiving (with good reason) from world Jewery amounts to hundreds of billions of Dollars. All these are undeniable facts, which neither you, nor anyone else can quarrel with!

Money invested (yes Invested) comes back with interest. This is so in every area from medicine to agriculture, to high tech to military; which is all in marked contrast to money wasted in supporting a booming unproductive Palestinian population. Iron dome alone will sell for a small fortune and is about to be sold to the GCC states of all people.

Good post because it highlights the truth - profit and greed trump all else. If money spent kicking a dying people can turn a profit, then it is not money wasted.

If you are ever in need of life saving medical treatment please first contact BDS to make certain no medicines or treatments you receive were developed in Israel. BDS may supply you with the information, but when push comes to shove the hypocrites use Israeli products for their own personal benefit when it suits. P.S I wonder how much business the West carries out with repressive regimes because it is highly lucrative to do so?

[Steely Dan]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

But than again, if it weren't for the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist who

against all odds, took this barren, swampy, mosquitos infested swath of land, fighting the British and sea

of backward, menacing, well armed Arabs and made it to what it is today, what of the most advance country

in the world.... CAN ANY OTHER ARAB COUNTRY SAY THE SAME?

Ezra, you are mixing things . The Zionists who built the present Israel, pesonalities like Ben Gurion and Rabin, who established it, did make mistakes, but were democrats and were fighting for a democratic egalitarian society in Israel. The extreme right nationalistic neo fascist settlers, are leading Israel to its doom. The present Israeli government headed by Mr. Netanyahu, who at times contradicts himself two times a week, wants no peace and he himself admitted recently that Israel will live by its sword practically forever. No country, or society can live by its sword forever, and if Mr. Netanyahu had studied history, he would have learnt of great empires which disappeared because they thought they could live by their swords forever. Even the crusaders had to learn this lesson in the "Holy Land". If Israel continues its undemocratic, expansionist policies it will meet the same fate. It will be a disaster for the Jewish people worldwide!

I suspect the Iranian regime and its search for nuclear weapons is a far more serious threat to Israel than zealot settlers. Actually the threat posed by Iran to Arab regimes may make common cause between them and Israel. If this dynamic changes I do see as a side effect a glint of hope for the settlement of the Palestinian issue. The irony here is that pressure on the Palestinians by their peers may bring more results than pressure applied to Israel - we shall see.

[RuamRudy]

Money invested (yes Invested) comes back with interest. This is so in every area from medicine to agriculture, to high tech to military; which is all in marked contrast to money wasted in supporting a booming unproductive Palestinian population. Iron dome alone will sell for a small fortune and is about to be sold to the GCC states of all people.

Good post because it highlights the truth - profit and greed trump all else. If money spent kicking a dying people can turn a profit, then it is not money wasted.

If you are ever in need of life saving medical treatment please first contact BDS to make certain no medicines or treatments you receive were developed in Israel. BDS may supply you with the information, but when push comes to shove the hypocrites use Israeli products for their own personal benefit when it suits. P.S I wonder how much business the West carries out with repressive regimes because it is highly lucrative to do so?

What are you suggesting? That only those who approve of the Israeli government should be allowed to benefit from medical research carried out there? Maybe we should be presented with a pledge form on the operating table? What about those who contribute the tax that is given to the Israeli government, but object to its actions? Would they be allowed grudging assistance?

Here's a better idea - instead of bankrolling a morally bankrupt regime, funneling money into arms companies and propogating the status quo, why not channel the money into something that is positive and constructive for all peace-loving Jews, Muslims, Christians, whomever, in the region? I am willing to bet the the net return for ALL mankind would be far higher.

Edited November 3, 2015 by RuamRudy

[Steely Dan]

Money invested (yes Invested) comes back with interest. This is so in every area from medicine to agriculture, to high tech to military; which is all in marked contrast to money wasted in supporting a booming unproductive Palestinian population. Iron dome alone will sell for a small fortune and is about to be sold to the GCC states of all people.

Good post because it highlights the truth - profit and greed trump all else. If money spent kicking a dying people can turn a profit, then it is not money wasted.

If you are ever in need of life saving medical treatment please first contact BDS to make certain no medicines or treatments you receive were developed in Israel. BDS may supply you with the information, but when push comes to shove the hypocrites use Israeli products for their own personal benefit when it suits. P.S I wonder how much business the West carries out with repressive regimes because it is highly lucrative to do so?

What are you suggesting? That only those who approve of the Israeli government should be allowed to benefit from medical research carried out there? Maybe we should be presented with a pledge form on the operating table? What about those who contribute the tax that is given to the Israeli government, but object to its actions? Would they be allowed grudging assistance?

Here's a better idea - instead of bankrolling a morally bankrupt regime, funneling money into arms companies and propogating the status quo, why not channel the money into something that is positive and constructive for all peace-loving Jews, Muslims, Christians, whomever, in the region? I am willing to bet the the net return for ALL mankind would be far higher.

So you admit a lot more comes out of Israel than filthy lucre. Thank you.

[RuamRudy]

Money invested (yes Invested) comes back with interest. This is so in every area from medicine to agriculture, to high tech to military; which is all in marked contrast to money wasted in supporting a booming unproductive Palestinian population. Iron dome alone will sell for a small fortune and is about to be sold to the GCC states of all people.

Good post because it highlights the truth - profit and greed trump all else. If money spent kicking a dying people can turn a profit, then it is not money wasted.

If you are ever in need of life saving medical treatment please first contact BDS to make certain no medicines or treatments you receive were developed in Israel. BDS may supply you with the information, but when push comes to shove the hypocrites use Israeli products for their own personal benefit when it suits. P.S I wonder how much business the West carries out with repressive regimes because it is highly lucrative to do so?

What are you suggesting? That only those who approve of the Israeli government should be allowed to benefit from medical research carried out there? Maybe we should be presented with a pledge form on the operating table? What about those who contribute the tax that is given to the Israeli government, but object to its actions? Would they be allowed grudging assistance?

Here's a better idea - instead of bankrolling a morally bankrupt regime, funneling money into arms companies and propogating the status quo, why not channel the money into something that is positive and constructive for all peace-loving Jews, Muslims, Christians, whomever, in the region? I am willing to bet the the net return for ALL mankind would be far higher.

So you admit a lot more comes out of Israel than filthy lucre. Thank you.

It would have to be a particularly foul place for nothing positive to come out of it, but if you are asking me if the ends justify the means then I have no hesitation in saying no.

[DeaconJohn]

Moderate Israelis like the late Yitzhak Rabin are the only hope for the future. Zionists will be the victims of their own success if the violence and the theft of Palestinian land continues. A one-state solution will eventually be the death of Israel. As was the case with apartheid South Africa and the Soviet Union, no amount of weapons or a nuclear arsenal will protect them from the fury of the people they hold in bondage.

[Jingthing]

Moderate Israelis like the late Yitzhak Rabin are the only hope for the future.

Zionists will be the victims of their own success if the violence and the theft of Palestinian land continues.

A one-state solution will eventually be the death of Israel.

As was the case with apartheid South Africa and the Soviet Union, no amount of weapons or a nuclear arsenal will protect them from the fury of the people they hold in bondage.

Exagerated hyperbole.

So you think Rabin wasn't also a Zionist?

The demonization of all Zionists is an atrocious thing considering the history of Zionism and why it was necessary.

Yes I get it, you've parroted the predictable doom and gloom predictions of the Israel demonization agenda. As if you know the future for sure.

News flash -- you don't.

To add, I support a two state solution, always have, but it takes two sides that really want that to negotiate in good faith and currently HONEST people can't say that about EITHER side.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Jingthing

[arfurcrown]

Nice spin there Jingthing Rabin was not a Zionist and the fact you despoil his memory and aims is shameful.

http://forward.com/opinion/323753/what-would-yitzhak-rabin-think-of-the-violence-in-israel-today

[Jingthing]

Nice spin there Jingthing Rabin was not a Zionist and the fact you despoil his memory and aims is shameful.

http://forward.com/opinion/323753/what-would-yitzhak-rabin-think-of-the-violence-in-israel-today

Of course he was a Zionist. It's your problem if you are ignorant of the definition and don't understand that Zionists have vastly different opinions on policies.

[arfurcrown]

Jingthing.

Of course he was a Zionist. It's your problem if you are ignorant of the definition and don't understand that Zionists have vastly different opinions on policies.

Jingthing you of all people should know you should never judge others as you judge yourself.

The link is to an Israeli news source not a Pattay or Jomtien news source.

[DaddyWarbucks]

Nice spin there Jingthing Rabin was not a Zionist and the fact you despoil his memory and aims is shameful.

http://forward.com/opinion/323753/what-would-yitzhak-rabin-think-of-the-violence-in-israel-today

Very good article about Yitzhak Rabin.

It shows that there are Israelis who want a change of direction toward a just peace and secure 1967 borders.

That will never happen under the current radical leadership.

Likudniks will always be Likudniks.

[Jingthing]

Jingthing.

Of course he was a Zionist. It's your problem if you are ignorant of the definition and don't understand that Zionists have vastly different opinions on policies.

Jingthing you of all people should know you should never judge others as you judge yourself.

The link is to an Israeli news source not a Pattay or Jomtien news source.

The link is not Israeli anything. It's the Forward. A liberal American Jewish newspaper of great historical importance that I happen to read regularly as I am a liberal American Jew.

Again you are simply ignorant of the definition of Zionism. People who support political self determination for the Jewish people realized in the creation of the state of Israel are all Zionists. Zionist is not a dirty word. You probably mean he wasn't a right wing pro settler movement type of Zionist. That's true. Left wing Zionists aren't like that of course.

Interestingly in the early history of the Forward it's founders were socialist anti-Zionist American Jews. That was long before Israel existed. The paper has evolved and my understanding is that the editorial policy of the Forward supports the existence of Israel and its right to defense. Two state solution. In other words liberal yes but still pro Zionism.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Jingthing

[Thorgal]

You can't be liberal and pro-Zionist together...

[dexterm]

Jingthing.

Of course he was a Zionist. It's your problem if you are ignorant of the definition and don't understand that Zionists have vastly different opinions on policies.

Jingthing you of all people should know you should never judge others as you judge yourself.

The link is to an Israeli news source not a Pattay or Jomtien news source.

The link is not Israeli anything. It's the Forward. A liberal American Jewish newspaper of great historical importance that I happen to read regularly as I am a liberal American Jew.

Again you are simply ignorant of the definition of Zionism. People who support political self determination for the Jewish people realized in the creation of the state of Israel are all Zionists. Zionist is not a dirty word. You probably mean he wasn't a right wing pro settler movement type of Zionist. That's true. Left wing Zionists aren't like that of course.

Interestingly in the early history of the Forward it's founders were socialist anti-Zionist American Jews. That was long before Israel existed. The paper has evolved and my understanding is that the editorial policy of the Forward supports the existence of Israel and its right to defense. Two state solution. In other words liberal yes but still pro Zionism.

I am completely in favor of any Jew (or any other religion) who is genuinely persecuted because of his religion, being offered refuge in Israel or any other country in the world where he will be safe.

It is the religion supremacist nature of Zionism I object to. The fact that a Jew by right of his religion (or his grandmother's if he himself is not religious), can leave the safety of New York, retain his US passport, and be granted immediate citizenship in Israel, and even get to evict Palestinian families who have lived there for centuries. Whereas Palestinians who still have the keys to their homes in Israel whence they were displaced in 67 or 48, have no right of residence in their homeland. That IMO is discrimination and very unliberal.

As for a 2 state solution, it is the only chance Zionists have of a state with a mainly Jewish character. But even that hopefully will eventually die, as Palestinains outbreed Israeli Jews.I much prefer secular, multi cultural democracies.

"Rabin himself had not stated publicly that he supported the idea of a Palestinian state, though his closest aides said after his death that he knew it would be part of a final settlement."

Yes, a great pity that the peace he might have convinced the Israeli electorate to accept through his charisma, died with him. The right wing fanatics won, and they are still in charge 20 years later. What a wasted opportunity.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34712057

....very interesting article on Rabin's legacy at this BBC link.

[Thorgal]

Had this man not been murdered as a sacrifice to the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist politics the current situation in the area would be a lot different, people would by now living in unity and peace would have been the scenario,

But than again, if it weren't for the xenophobic jingoistic warmonger of the extreme right of Zionist who

against all odds, took this barren, swampy, mosquitos infested swath of land, fighting the British and sea

of backward, menacing, well armed Arabs and made it to what it is today, what of the most advance country

in the world.... CAN ANY OTHER ARAB COUNTRY SAY THE SAME?

Ezra, you are mixing things . The Zionists who built the present Israel, pesonalities like Ben Gurion and Rabin, who established it, did make mistakes, but were democrats and were fighting for a democratic egalitarian society in Israel. The extreme right nationalistic neo fascist settlers, are leading Israel to its doom. The present Israeli government headed by Mr. Netanyahu, who at times contradicts himself two times a week, wants no peace and he himself admitted recently that Israel will live by its sword practically forever. No country, or society can live by its sword forever, and if Mr. Netanyahu had studied history, he would have learnt of great empires which disappeared because they thought they could live by their swords forever. Even the crusaders had to learn this lesson in the "Holy Land". If Israel continues its undemocratic, expansionist policies it will meet the same fate. It will be a disaster for the Jewish people worldwide!

Rabin and Ben Gurion were not democrats. They were fervent Zionist instead. Israel was created as a Jewish state.

Moreover, in terms used to the Palestinian cause, they should also be named as 'terrorists'.

They've never aimed what you call : 'a democratic egalitarian society in Israel'...

Edited November 4, 2015 by Thorgal