Yitzhak Rabin rose to prominence as the prime minister of Israel. Prior to his appointment to this high post, Rabin had an impressive military career. The experience gained in the Six Day War, won by Israel, has helped Rabin to make difficult political decisions more than once. In 1995, an Israeli politician was killed by an extremist.
From the biography of Yitzhak Rabin
The future Israeli politician was born in Jerusalem on March 1, 1922. His parents once immigrated to Palestine and actively participated in political life. They were ardent supporters of the struggle for the cause of the working people.
Yitzhak's father was from Ukraine. At the age of 18, Nehemia Rabichev went to work in America, where he joined the Zionist labor movement. He later changed his last name to Rabin. In 1917 he moved to Palestine, where he joined the Jewish Legion formed by the British authorities.
Yitzhak's mother, nee Rosa Cohen, was born in Mogilev (now Belarus). Her father was a timber trader, her father's brother was a writer and journalist, was engaged in social activities. Rose came to Palestine in 1919. She lived in Jerausalim, then in Haifa. She actively fought for women's rights. Rabin's mother died early, still managing to assign her son to study.
Rabin's future parents met and got married in Haifa. They had two children: a son Yitzhak and a daughter Rachel.
In 1948, Yitzhak Rabin got married. Leah Schlossberg, a repatriate from Germany, became his wife.
Military career of Yitzhak Rabin
In 1940, Yitzhak graduated from an agricultural school. After completing an internship, Yitzhak left his previous occupations and became deputy commander of one of the first battalions of Palmach. This was the name of the strike units of the future Israel Defense Forces. He was arrested by the British, but released five months later.
After his release, Yitzhak was going to leave for America to get an education. But he was forbidden to leave the country. Subsequently, Rabin received a second education: he graduated from British Staff College.
In the war for Israel's independence, Rabin led the hostilities in Jerusalem and fought with the Egyptian army.
In 1956, Rabin became Major General of the Israel Defense Forces, since 1959 he served as Deputy Chief of the General Staff, and in 1963 he headed this military structure. Under the leadership of Yitzhak, the Israeli army won the so-called Six Day War.
Career in politics
In the winter of 1968, Rabin ended his military career. After that, he was appointed ambassador of the Israeli state to the United States. To become a real diplomat, Rabin had to seriously improve his English, learn to play tennis and carefully hide his thoughts. Indeed, the Israeli diplomat has learned to play tennis excellently. He often went out to court with his wife, where he played with other couples from high society in the United States.
In 1973, Rabin returned to his homeland and joined the Labor Party. A year later, Rabin became a member of the Knesset and headed the Ministry of Labor. After the resignation of Golda, Meir took over as the country's prime minister. Rabin brought his vast combat experience and people management skills to the leadership of Israel.
Experts noted the instability of the Rabin government. The reason for this was the conflict between the Prime Minister and Defense Minister Peres.
In 1977, the Rabin family was at the center of a scandal: one of the newspapers learned about the existence of his wife's account in the United States. According to the laws of Israel, this was a violation. Yitzhak had to resign, taking responsibility for himself.
In the second half of the 1980s, Rabin was in charge of the Israeli military department. During the First Intifada, he was a supporter of tough measures and ordered the Palestinians to “break bones”. Subsequently, he realized that the political problem can only be solved through negotiations with the demonstrators.
In 1992, Rabin once again became Prime Minister of Israel. In 1993, he signed a package of agreements with Yasser Arafat. For this step and contribution to the cause of peace, Rabin was awarded the Nobel Prize. As a result of the agreements, the Palestinian Authority was created. She was partially transferred control over part of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
After this political decision, the opinion of Rabin in Israeli society was divided. Some considered him a hero and peacemaker. Others condemned for betraying the interests of the country.
Those who knew Rabin well noted his simplicity and natural modesty. It happened that he was shy when he had to sing folk songs or the party anthem in public.
Rabin often relieved his growing nervous tension with brandy. Sometimes he drank this amusing drink in such quantities that he was honored for this offensive caricature in the newspaper. Itzhak was depicted in the drawing surrounded by empty bottles. After this publication, Rabin stopped subscribing to this publication.
The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin
On November 4, 1995, Yitzhak Rabin spoke at a huge rally in Tel Aviv. After the event, he went to the car. Three shots rang out, the prime minister was seriously injured. Within an hour, Rabin died in the hospital.
Rabin's killer was a religious student Yigal Amir. He motivated his act by the fact that he was taking revenge for the people of Israel, who suffered from the agreements signed in Oslo.
The assassination of the country's leader shocked the whole world. Rabin's funeral was attended by leaders of many countries, including US President Bill Clinton.
Rabin's son, Yuval, received a huge number of letters of condolences.
Rabin was buried in Jerusalem. A memorial sign was erected at the scene of the politician's murder.
