IB World

Isaac Rabin was born in Jerusalem, Israel, on March 1, 1922. His parents, Nehemiah and Rose, had immigrated to Israel in the early 20th century. Rabin graduated from the Kadoorie Agricultural School with honors.

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In 1941, he enlisted in the Palmach (Elite Unit for Jewish Defense during the British Mandate). He participated in countless military operations, serving as a platoon commander, battalion commander, and finally commander of the Harel Brigade in the War of Independence in 1948.

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He was a representative of the delegation that participated in the armistice negotiations with Egypt, held in Rhodes in 1949. Rabin continued to climb the military career ladder. Three years later, in 1964, he was appointed Chief of Staff and led the Israeli army to victory in the Six-Day War.

At the end of 1967, Isaac Rabin's life took a significant turn when he left the army and opted for a diplomatic career. He was appointed Israel's Ambassador to the United States, a political position he held from 1968 to 1973, which allowed him to consolidate close ties between the United States and Israel.

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At the end of his term in Washington, he returned to Israel and joined the Labor Party. During Golda Meir's government, he was appointed Minister of Labor. In 1974, following Golda Meir's resignation, Rabin was elected Prime Minister of the State of Israel. During his first term as Prime Minister (1974-1977), he completed the open negotiations between Israel and Egypt and signed an interim agreement with Egypt.

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At the end of his first term, he continued in the new Likud government and the National Unity government as Minister of Defense and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Knesset (Parliament).

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In the following 1992 elections, Rabin was elected Prime Minister for the second time. In 1993, he signed the “Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements” (the Oslo Agreement) with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to end their conflict. A year later, he signed the peace treaty with King Hussein of Jordan between the two countries.

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In 1994, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat for his outstanding efforts and constant commitment to promoting peace.

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In 1995, at the end of a massive peace demonstration in Tel Aviv on November 4, Isaac Rabin was assassinated.

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Isaac Rabin was a leader of integrity, faithful to the ideals of peace. He fought tirelessly for a lasting solution to the conflict. His audacity and tenacity led him to overcome the most difficult obstacles that stood in his way repeatedly on this long road. Our school proudly bears the name of this great hero.

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"We will continue on the path of peace with determination and courage. We will not give up. Peace will triumph over all its enemies because the alternative is worse for all of us. And we shall prevail.”

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Isaac Rabin, December 10, 1994