Tens of Thousands Rally Across Israel Marking 30 Years Since Rabin's Assassination, Urging Hostage Return

Commemoration and Calls for Unity in Tel Aviv

Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday, November 1, 2025, to mark three decades since the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The central memorial rally, held near the Rabin Memorial on Ibn Gabirol Street, adjacent to the site of his killing, saw an estimated attendance of over 80,000 people, with some reports suggesting figures as high as 150,000. The event, organized by the 'Returning to the Square' group in coordination with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and Israel Police, returned after a five-year hiatus.

The rally served as a poignant reminder of Rabin's legacy and a platform to address contemporary challenges facing Israel. Speakers drew parallels between the divisive political climate that preceded Rabin's murder and current societal tensions, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023, massacre. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, Yashar party chairman Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot, The Democrats' chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Yair Golan, and former minister Tzipi Livni were among the prominent figures who addressed the crowd.

The Enduring Call for Hostage Return

A significant and emotional component of the rallies was the urgent plea for the return of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Gadi Moses, a former hostage who was held for 482 days before his release, delivered a powerful address at the Tel Aviv rally. He stated, 'If Yitzhak Rabin were prime minister today, no one would have been left behind,' and vowed, 'I will not be silent or rest until the return of the last of the hostages.' His sentiments were echoed by Eitan Horn, another freed captive, who spoke at a separate demonstration at Hostages Square, emphasizing that 'a funeral and a grave are not a privilege' and urging continued struggle until all slain hostages are returned.

Rabin's Legacy and Warnings Against Division

Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated on November 4, 1995, by right-wing extremist Yigal Amir, following a peace rally in Tel Aviv. The 30th-anniversary commemorations underscored the enduring impact of this event on Israeli society. Speakers, including Rabin's son, Yuval Rabin, highlighted the dangers of incitement and division. Yuval Rabin noted that the country's current divisions echo the incitement that led to his father's murder, stating, 'This is a moment of trial for Israeli society. Israel must return to the square and stand together—united in hope and reconciliation.'

The rallies concluded with a moment of silence at 9:42 p.m., the exact time of the assassination, and the singing of 'Shir LaShalom' ('Song for Peace'), a song Rabin famously sang minutes before he was killed. The events served as a collective reflection on the past and a call for a more unified and peaceful future for Israel, while keeping the plight of the hostages at the forefront of public consciousness.