Bough Brothers

This documentary unravels the political tensions, religious incitement, and security failures that led to his assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, offering a compelling look at a turning point in Israeli history. The assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on November 4, 1995, marked a turning point in Israeli history. Rabin was killed by Yigal Amir, a right-wing extremist who opposed the Oslo Accords, a peace initiative between Israel and the Palestinians. Legal investigations into the assassination have revealed a deeply polarized political climate, where incitement from right-wing factions and religious figures played a crucial role in radicalizing Amir and enabling the attack. The Political Climate and Right-Wing Opposition The early 1990s saw an intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, culminating in the Oslo Accords, which aimed to grant the Palestinians self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Rabin, along with Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for this effort. However, the accords sparked fierce opposition from the Israeli right-wing, which viewed them as a betrayal of Jewish territorial claims. Right-wing political factions, including Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, mobilized mass protests against Rabin's policies, characterizing him as a traitor. During these protests, incendiary rhetoric was widely used. Rabin was frequently depicted in Nazi uniforms and Palestinian keffiyehs, and chants of "Rabin is a traitor" became common. Netanyahu, as leader of the opposition, participated in and addressed rallies where such slogans were chanted, though he later denied endorsing violence. The legal investigation into the assassination noted how this environment of hate contributed to the radicalization of individuals like Amir. The Role of Israeli Rabbis and Religious Incitement One of the most alarming aspects highlighted in the legal inquiry is the role of religious incitement in justifying Rabin's assassination. Several prominent right-wing rabbis issued halakhic rulings that labeled Rabin a "rodef" (a person who endangers Jewish lives) and a "moser" (a traitor who hands Jews over to non-Jews). According to Jewish law, a rodef may be killed to prevent the perceived harm they are causing. Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburgh, Rabbi Avigdor Neventzal, and other religious leaders from ultra-nationalist factions publicly spoke against the Oslo Accords, arguing that yielding land to Palestinians was equivalent to endangering the Jewish people. While not explicitly calling for Rabin's assassination, these statements gave ideological legitimacy to Amir's belief that he was acting on religious grounds. Benjamin Netanyahu and the Atmosphere of Incitement Benjamin Netanyahu, then the leader of the Likud opposition, played a significant role in galvanizing right-wing opposition to Rabin. The investigation illustrates Netanyahu's presence at rallies where crowds called for Rabin's death. While he did not directly incite violence, his refusal to condemn these actions, coupled with his vocal opposition to Rabin's policies, contributed to the hostile climate. The infamous "King David Hotel" rally in 1995, where Netanyahu stood on a balcony as protesters below held up coffins labeled "Rabin," is a key example of the charged rhetoric that led to an atmosphere of political violence. The Verdict The legal inquiry into the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin serves as a historical indictment of the toxic political atmosphere that enabled his murder. Investigations highlighted how extreme right-wing opposition, inciting rhetoric from religious figures, and the failure of political leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu to curb the escalating threats created a climate where political murder became possible. Rabin's assassination was not merely the act of a lone extremist but rather the culmination of a broader movement that sought to derail the peace process. Its impact continues to shape Israeli politics, demonstrating the dangers of unchecked political incitement and extremism.