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Israel: Rally to commemorate Rabin`s death
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Source: CCTV.com | 11-26-2007 18:01
Special Report: Mideast Peace Conference
Thousands of people hold banners denouncing violence and supporting the peace process during a rally to mark the 12th anniversary of the assassination of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin at the Tel Aviv plaza where he was shot.(AFP/Jack Guez)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is widely acknowledged as the pioneer of the Middle East peace process.
For many, his name is still a call to strive for peace in the region. Tens of thousands of Israelis have attended a massive memorial to commemorate the twelfth anniversary of Rabin's assassination.
Anyone who witnessed Saturday's memorial at the square named after Yitzhak Rabin would agree that the great man is still alive in the minds of his people.
More than 150,000 people attended the rally, far higher than the average in recent years. In addition to paying tribute to the leader, many people also reflected on the problem-ridden peace process.
Haya Shofet, Israeli Resident, said, "In the last 12 years, each year I become sadder, because the hopes for peace are diminishing. And his killing is one of the most terrible things that happened for the Israeli people."
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An Israeli demonstrator holds up a placard that reads, "Peace now" during a rally to mark the 12th anniversary of the assassination of former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin at the Tel Aviv plaza where he was shot.(AFP/Jack Guez)
Veteran Israeli politician Shimon Peres worked closely with Yitzhak Rabin to promote the Middle East peace process. As the country's newly-elected president, he reminded his people to carry Rabin's torch with determination.
Shimon Peres, Israeli president, said, "You received his torch. You came here not just to bear the memory but to bear the responsibility of moving on in his way, not to panic, not to deter, not to despair. To stand as a steady rock aside peace."
Rabin was shot dead at a peace rally in Tel Aviv on November 4th, 1995. The assassin was identified as an Orthodox Jew who opposed Rabin's peace efforts with the Palestinians. He is serving a life sentence for murder.
Editor:Zhang Pengfei
