The late Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi, who was assassinated yesterday by Palestinian terrorists, was buried at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem this afternoon. Thousands of people viewed his casket, covered in a tallit [prayer shawl] and Israeli flag, in front of the Knesset this morning. In accordance with the family\'s request, and contrary to a previous decision by the responsible ministerial committee, the public was permitted and even invited to take part in the procession from beginning to end. Minister Ze\'evi\'s youngest daughter Aravah announced over the Israeli media today, \"Our father was a man of this nation, of the people first of all, and we will be happy to see whoever would like to come.\"
Official eulogies, which were preceded by IDF Chief Rabbi Weiss\' recitation of a chapter of Psalms, were delivered by President Moshe Katzav, Prime Minister Sharon, Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz, Kinneret Ze\'evi (daughter of the slain minister\'s oldest child), Binyamin Ze\'evi (second son of the slain minister and a Breslover hassid), and Moledet party director-general Ariel Sender.
President Katzav said that the Palestinians have \"cut off, time after time, our hand outstretched in peace.\" Prime Minister Sharon praised Ze\'evi\'s love of the Land, his determination and zealousness, and noted that his friendship with Ze\'evi went back many years and involved \"disagreements and agreements, enmity and love, pain and forgiveness.\" Granddaughter Kinneret said, \"We must put aside all our differences and unite in order to overcome the terrorism - we owe this to ourselves, our children, and our grandfather and the other \'sacrifices of the peace\' - er, of the terrorism, excuse me.\"
Binyamin, Ze\'evi\'s second son, explained that he was following the custom of some not to accompany their parents to the gravesite, and then continued:
\"Our holy rabbi, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, taught us that everyone is a unique diamond unto itself, shining in its own unique way. You, beloved Abba, the special light of your soul was strong and clear. Your love for the Land of Israel, for the People of Israel and its tradition, shone on everyone around you, and left upon your children and grandchildren an impression that will never be erased. This love led you to many hard years of defense and public works, out of total dedication, with Imma [mother], may she live a long life, always by your side...
\"We didn\'t merit, Abba, that you remain with us, but you have merited to join a list as long as the Exile of those who were killed because of their Jewishness, who were killed for the Sanctification of G-d\'s Name. From you, Abba, we acquired the faith that this wagon called the People of Yisrael, which has been on its way almost 3,500 years, will in fact finally reach its destiny, and possibly very immediately, for \'the Eternal of Israel will not falter.\'
\"May it be G-d\'s will that you, Abba, be a worthy advocate for Imma [mother], and for all your descendants, and for all Am Yisrael, that so sorely needs Heavenly mercies in these critical days. \'Rejoice, o nations, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will take vengeance on his enemies, and will forgive His land and His people.\'\"
The funeral then set off for the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery, traveling through city streets closed for the occasion and accompanied by mourners from throughout the city and country. The GSS originally wished to close the Mt. Herzl Cemetery to the public, but as Minister Danny Naveh of the Ministerial Committee for Symbols and Ceremonies explained, \"We cannot prevent the public from expressing its feelings.\"
Ze\'evi\'s grandson Suf, oldest son of Ze\'evi\'s youngest daughter, spoke at the cemetery and said, \"I often asked him why, after all the battles he fought, he continued to fight so stubbornly for his ideals. He answered me, \'Until now I fought for myself and my children. Now I am fighting for the next generation, for you and your children, [to ensure that we not] lose 50 years worth of battles.\'\"
Official eulogies, which were preceded by IDF Chief Rabbi Weiss\' recitation of a chapter of Psalms, were delivered by President Moshe Katzav, Prime Minister Sharon, Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz, Kinneret Ze\'evi (daughter of the slain minister\'s oldest child), Binyamin Ze\'evi (second son of the slain minister and a Breslover hassid), and Moledet party director-general Ariel Sender.
President Katzav said that the Palestinians have \"cut off, time after time, our hand outstretched in peace.\" Prime Minister Sharon praised Ze\'evi\'s love of the Land, his determination and zealousness, and noted that his friendship with Ze\'evi went back many years and involved \"disagreements and agreements, enmity and love, pain and forgiveness.\" Granddaughter Kinneret said, \"We must put aside all our differences and unite in order to overcome the terrorism - we owe this to ourselves, our children, and our grandfather and the other \'sacrifices of the peace\' - er, of the terrorism, excuse me.\"
Binyamin, Ze\'evi\'s second son, explained that he was following the custom of some not to accompany their parents to the gravesite, and then continued:
\"Our holy rabbi, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, taught us that everyone is a unique diamond unto itself, shining in its own unique way. You, beloved Abba, the special light of your soul was strong and clear. Your love for the Land of Israel, for the People of Israel and its tradition, shone on everyone around you, and left upon your children and grandchildren an impression that will never be erased. This love led you to many hard years of defense and public works, out of total dedication, with Imma [mother], may she live a long life, always by your side...
\"We didn\'t merit, Abba, that you remain with us, but you have merited to join a list as long as the Exile of those who were killed because of their Jewishness, who were killed for the Sanctification of G-d\'s Name. From you, Abba, we acquired the faith that this wagon called the People of Yisrael, which has been on its way almost 3,500 years, will in fact finally reach its destiny, and possibly very immediately, for \'the Eternal of Israel will not falter.\'
\"May it be G-d\'s will that you, Abba, be a worthy advocate for Imma [mother], and for all your descendants, and for all Am Yisrael, that so sorely needs Heavenly mercies in these critical days. \'Rejoice, o nations, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will take vengeance on his enemies, and will forgive His land and His people.\'\"
The funeral then set off for the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery, traveling through city streets closed for the occasion and accompanied by mourners from throughout the city and country. The GSS originally wished to close the Mt. Herzl Cemetery to the public, but as Minister Danny Naveh of the Ministerial Committee for Symbols and Ceremonies explained, \"We cannot prevent the public from expressing its feelings.\"
Ze\'evi\'s grandson Suf, oldest son of Ze\'evi\'s youngest daughter, spoke at the cemetery and said, \"I often asked him why, after all the battles he fought, he continued to fight so stubbornly for his ideals. He answered me, \'Until now I fought for myself and my children. Now I am fighting for the next generation, for you and your children, [to ensure that we not] lose 50 years worth of battles.\'\"