Rabin's death shocks students and faculty

---

by Peggy Lai

---

Rabin was assassinated Nov. 4 by Yigal Amir, a Jewish right-wing law student, while speaking at a pro-peace rally in Tel Aviv.

At the Hillel meeting on Monday, Warren Mazer, a representative of United Jewish Appeal, spoke about the assassination.

"It's difficult to talk about anything beyond Jewish unity," Mazer said. "[The assassination was] shocking because you felt that wherever you went in the world, if you saw a Jew, you thought you could bond."

The United Jewish Appeal is an international organization that acts as an advocate for Jewish needs overseas. It serves 58 countries around the world to develop the Jewish community.

"I'm kind of shocked. I wouldn't think another Jewish person would assassinate Rabin," Brown College junior Zinovy Pugach said.

Baker College freshman Mike Simon said that the assassination could have one of two effects. It could either be a unifying event, or it could be diversifying because it can "cause factionalizing of civil solidarity."

"I can only wait and see and provide as much support as I can," Simon said.

The assassination could be a "harbinger for increased cause for peace," Hanszen College junior Noah Shapiro said.

Israel recently signed a peace pact with the Palestinian Liberation Organization. The pact involves the gradual relinquishment of power in the West Bank to the Palestinians.

This agreement has caused factionalism among political groups, as some religious and right-wing Jews are opposed to Israel's attempt at peace with the PLO.

Shimon Peres, Israel's former foreign minister, has replaced Rabin on an interim basis.

Edward Djerejian, director of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, reacted to the assassination and spoke with admiration for Rabin. Djerejian worked closely with Rabin from 1993 to 1994.

"Prime Minister Rabin's assassination is a tragic loss for Israel, America and the world," Djerejian said.

"He was a unique leader -- a warrior statesman. He fought Israel's great battles. He died fighting for peace. I always admired him.

"I was always struck by his clear sense of vision, his tremendously analytic mind and his honesty. He said what he meant with no ambiguity, not a trait you find in many political leaders," he said.

The assassination "once more shows that Israel is not [a] united front" Hillel co-President Jonathan Franklin said.

Franklin called Rabin "a great man, a very important man in the peace process" and said that he was very effective in "convincing people that peace is the right thing."

Franklin ended on an optimistic note, however.

"In the aftermath of tragedy, in the end [the assassination] will have [a] unifying effect on Israel."

This item appeared in the News section of the November 10, 1995 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of:
The Rice Thresher, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77005-1892, USA.