Voice of the Jewish News: What would Rabin think?
What Yitzhak Rabin have made of Israel today? The 20th anniversary of his sickening assassination is the perfect tine to indulge in such guesswork.
Rabin the Freedom Fighter would be delighted that the Israel he fought for was alive and well, while her enemies were degraded and in disarray. Rabin the Soldier would also be pleased – by the firepower at her disposal, the technology keeping her citizens safe and discipline her soldiers show.
Rabin the Diplomat would find reason to cheer, too: his Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty is intact, and relations with tomorrow’s world powers [such as India and China] are developing all the time. But he would wince at the alienation of America and Europe, and would worry about Iran’s newfound place in the world.
Rabin the Strategist would be concerned, too. Still, Israel’s leaders have not yet agreed or imposed any terms on the Palestinians, despite widespread recognition of its necessity, and despite several opportunities to do so. He would acknowledge efforts by Barak and Olmert, but would chastise Netanyahu for taking the easy road down a dead-end.
Rabin the Thinker would think it ill-advised to create ghettos in the West Bank and formerly Gaza, or humiliate those with whom Israelis must live.
So, what would Yitzhak Rabin make of Israel today? Well, his view would be mixed. A more interesting question might be to ask what Israel today makes of Yitzhak Rabin.
With football fans chanting his killer’s name and youngsters born after he died flocking to his Mt. Herzl grave, that answer is also mixed.
And that is a shame.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
