Chief Rabbi Metzger
Chief Rabbi MetzgerFlash 90

Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yona Metzger, strongly condemned on Friday the words of Hagai Amir, who was released from prison earlier after serving a 16.5-year sentence for conspiring to murder then-Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin. His brother, Yigal Amir, is the one who committed the murder.

Amir flashed a “V” sign for “victory” as he left jail and said, “I have no regrets, I’m proud of what I did.”

“Being proud of being a partner in a murder is a shame and a disgrace,” said Rabbi Metzger. “It looks like 16 and a half years were not enough for him to draw conclusions.”

Activists from the right and left of the political spectrum greeted Amir as he left prison on Friday morning. A handful of land of Israel activists who greeted Amir told reporters they believe he was innocent all along.

Activists from the far-left Meretz party held signs with the date of Rabin’s death accompanied by the words “Price Tag” and a picture of bleeding bullet holes.

Amir’s brother, Amitai, wrote a message on his Facebook page condemning all those who protested his brother’s release.

“Enough of hypocrites! You are disappearing. Without roots and without faith you shall wither like a leaf dry,” Amitai Amir wrote. “Paid his debt to society - not when it comes to the Amir brothers. Rule of law and a court - not when it comes to the Amir brothers. Human rights - not when it comes to the Amir brothers, but strength and faith always win in the end. This is our day of celebration.”

MK Avishai Braverman (Labor) called on Friday for Hagai Amir to be put back in prison. “Hagai Amir’s release from prison this morning and his declaration that he is proud of his actions show that nothing has changed,” he said.

“I call for the relevant authorities to see if he can be put back in jail, or if his movements can be restricted in some way,” said Braverman, who expressed concern that Amir could still pose a threat.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)