I5: 50 Years of Israel

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November 5, 1995

Yitzhak Rabin was a great man, one of our greatest leaders and I would have done anything for him. When he became Prime Minister again in 1992 I became one of his reserve drivers, and on that fateful night yesterday, I was the one waiting in the car to take him away from the massive peace rally in the main square in Tel Aviv.

We were sitting behind the square in a side exit. Everything was calm as the officials prepared for Rabin's return from the stage. We had heard the speeches, the singing and the support of the crowds. Peres left first and then Rabin made his way down to the car. It was then that the assassin struck, shooting our Prime Minister in the back at point blank range. The shots were fired and Rabin half fell and was half bundled into my car. I tried to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, constantly asking him how he was before he lost consciousness.

He died shortly after reaching the hospital.

Our Prime Minister was murdered at a peace rally. He never wore a bullet proof vest on such occasions. He could not imagine what seemed like the unimaginable - a Jew murdering his own Prime Minister. Besides, the rally was packed with thousands upon thousands of people who loved him.

Last night, I lost a friend and a leader, and Israel lost its way. Rabin must always be remembered. He was the one who led us to victory in the 1967 Six Day War and only he could have led Israel so confidently into the current peace process. What happened to him symbolised deep divisions in Israel - divisions we must all strive to heal.

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