The nearly four weeks since October 7 have constituted one of the most difficult periods in the history of the State of Israel since the War of Independence. The War of Independence is identified in part with the young commander of the Harel Brigade, the late Yitzhak Rabin, who was murdered on November 4, 1995, 28 years ago, when he served as Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
In his life and his many positions in public service, Yitzhak Rabin reflected the spirit of the people regarding sacrifice for the common good, camaraderie, volunteering for any task, public courage, initiative, and resourcefulness. Not coincidentally, these qualities are reflected these days during Israel’s most difficult crisis: courage and supreme sacrifice on the battlefield by soldiers and civilians, unequivocal loyalty to friends to the point of sacrificing one’s life, mobilization by the public without hesitation to combat units, and engagement in volunteer and mutual aid activities to assist those injured in body and soul.
At this time, it is worth recalling the unforgettable words of the late Yitzhak Rabin, when he received an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University in a moving ceremony on Mount Scopus on June 28, 1967: “The elevation of our fighters is not due to iron, but due to their consciousness of a higher mission, of recognizing the righteousness of our cause, of deep love for the homeland and for each other at the cost of their lives, of the right of the people of Israel to live their lives in their country in peace and serenity, as a free and independent nation. This army, which I had the privilege of leading in this war, comes from the people and returns to the people. A people who rise up in times of need and are able to face any enemy, thanks to their moral, spiritual, and emotional level, which stands beside it when put to the test. As a representative of the IDF, on behalf of all the soldiers, I proudly acknowledge your recognition.”
The nearly four weeks since October 7 have constituted one of the most difficult periods in the history of the State of Israel since the War of Independence. The War of Independence is identified in part with the young commander of the Harel Brigade, the late Yitzhak Rabin, who was murdered on November 4, 1995, 28 years ago, when he served as Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
In his life and his many positions in public service, Yitzhak Rabin reflected the spirit of the people regarding sacrifice for the common good, camaraderie, volunteering for any task, public courage, initiative, and resourcefulness. Not coincidentally, these qualities are reflected these days during Israel’s most difficult crisis: courage and supreme sacrifice on the battlefield by soldiers and civilians, unequivocal loyalty to friends to the point of sacrificing one’s life, mobilization by the public without hesitation to combat units, and engagement in volunteer and mutual aid activities to assist those injured in body and soul.
At this time, it is worth recalling the unforgettable words of the late Yitzhak Rabin, when he received an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University in a moving ceremony on Mount Scopus on June 28, 1967: “The elevation of our fighters is not due to iron, but due to their consciousness of a higher mission, of recognizing the righteousness of our cause, of deep love for the homeland and for each other at the cost of their lives, of the right of the people of Israel to live their lives in their country in peace and serenity, as a free and independent nation. This army, which I had the privilege of leading in this war, comes from the people and returns to the people. A people who rise up in times of need and are able to face any enemy, thanks to their moral, spiritual, and emotional level, which stands beside it when put to the test. As a representative of the IDF, on behalf of all the soldiers, I proudly acknowledge your recognition.”