Remembering Rabin spurs peace push

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Israel on Tuesday evening and visited Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, the location of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s murder on November 4, 1995.

Kerry was scheduled yesterday to hold separate meetings on Wednesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli media on Monday reported that Kerry, who has given the sides nine months to reach a deal, plans to introduce a peace proposal in January if no major progress is made.

Kerry said Israelis can rest assured the US will stand by their side along the way. As he spoke, some 10 members of a bereaved family booed at him.

Dalia Rabin-Pelossof, Yitzhak Rabin’s daughter, spoke at the memorial, saying she was moved and touched that Kerry and his envoy came to commemorate Rabin’s murder.

“Maybe time will tell that there is no other alternative, and we must advance towards what my father tried to do 20 years ago,” Rabin-Pelossof said.

“When my father decided we needed peace, with those who were considered the greatest terrorists, he realised we were strong enough to give it a chance. That we’re not risking our existence by trying to promote peace. He was aware of every obstacle,” she said.

Monday was the 18th anniversary of Rabin’s murder.

Labour Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich said, “The public mustn’t be indifferent, it cannot be left for extremists … The public has internalised a lot, but the same incitement keeps rising.”

Kerry then added that it is important to reach a peace agreement that will keep Israel safe, and that the US is committed to both a Palestinian and a Jewish state to coexist.

At a news conference in Riyadh on Monday, Kerry said there was no such plan “at this point in time”. He has spoken publicly of possible US bridging proposals if no major progress is made.

YNETNEWS.COM

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