SAN DIEGO — This week, we observed the 24th anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin was known throughout his career as a military hero; he was the chief operating officer of the Palmach during Israel’s War of Independence and the chief architect of the Israeli Defense Forces swift and decisive victory during the Six Day War. He was first elected as the Prime Minister of Israel in 1974 for his military prowess, but when it came time for his second term in 1992, he was singing a very different song. His platform embraced the Israeli Palestinian Peace process, and amidst a very controversial political climate, it appeared as if progress was being made. He signed the Oslo Accord with Yasser Arafat, with whom he and Shimon Peres would share a Nobel Peace prize, and he signed a Peace Treaty with Jordan as well. He famously said “enough is enough. We who have fought against you, the Palestinians, we say to you today, in a loud clear voice, enough blood and tears.”
One of the many ways we can ensure that Rabin is never really forgotten, and that his memory will always be for a blessing, is that regardless of politics, we continue to engage with the conflict, and we continue to strive for, and pray for peace.
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Rabbi Joshua Dorsch is spiritual leader at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted via joshua.dorsch@sdjewishworld.com