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Topic: Armenian Christian Commemorates Rabin's Death

Contact: Harry Hagopian
Middle East Council of Churches
Jerusalem Office
Tel: (972-2) 628-4493
Email: mecceto@cc.huji.ac.il

JERUSALEM, 5 November 2000--Following is a first hand account of the
commemoration of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Rabin. It was
written by Dr. Harry Hagopian of the Middle East Council of Churches. He is
an Armenian Christian who is a Jerusalemite:

"Last night, and after some soul-searching, I decided to go to Kikar Rabin in
Tel Aviv for the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of former Israeli
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. I heard President Moshe Katsav speak about
unity within Israel itself, I heard Prime Minister Ehud Barak call for peace
between Israelis and Palestinians, and I also heard all those scores of men
and women coming together in hope around the memory of one influential man.

"Why did I go?

"Despite being the Israeli politician who clearly gave force to the Oslo
process with a signature and a handshake, Yitzhak Rabin was far from being
its initiator or architect. In fact, he was never viewed as a 'dove'. On
the contrary, he was first and foremost a military 'hawk' who earned his
stripes through many wars. His attitude toward Palestinians was often harsh
and controlling, and what many Palestinians remember today is his order to
the Israeli army during the earlier Intifada to break some Palestinian bones.
Besides, let us be honest enough to admit that the process for peace did not
sprint forward during his time in office either! Rather, it limped forward at
a painfully slow pace. The name of the end-game then was pragmatism and
realism, not vision or compassion.

"So why did I go?

"I attended this rally in order to register - with feet and voice - my active
and faith-centred support for a peace that is based on justice, dignity and
security for both peoples.

"I attended this rally in order to stress that we do not need any more deaths
- whether of important politicians, soldiers or young children - only to wake
up again some weeks or months later to the realisation that coexistence
between Palestinians and Israelis is inevitable.

"I attended this rally in order to send a message that we need to move beyond
Oslo into a more fruitful dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and to
act upon an authentic vision of peace and reconciliation for which more than
one politician and hundreds of ordinary people have already given their lives.
"Peace is irrepressible, and violence is inexcusable. It is high time for
stones and bullets to stop waging unequal battle in the killing fields of the
West Bank and Gaza.

"It is high time for Israelis to enjoy true peace with security by giving
Palestinians equal peace with security too. Peace is a precious commodity;
it is the fruit of justice.

"Singing for peace in Tel Aviv last night was a heartening experience for me,
but when will I be able to do the same in Jerusalem - with equal confidence,
zest and courage? I came to Tel Aviv last night not so much to say 'shalom
haver' (peace my friend) to one man, but to say 'shalom lekol haverim (peace
to all the friends). hashalom' to two peoples ..! (peace to both peoples).

Harry Hagopian
An Armenian from Jerusalem