Jailed assassin Yigal Amir recently gave telephone interviews to two major television networks, Prison Services officials revealed Thursday. Officials said Amir would be punished for violating the terms of his imprisonment.
Amir gave interviews to Channel 10 news and Channel 2 news using a cellular telephone in his cell. He was allowed to use the phone to contact his wife, Larissa Trimbobler, but not to contact the media.
Amir will no longer be allowed to use his cell phone or the public phone in the prison, officials said. In addition, they said, he will not be allowed to keep personal belongings in his cell, and he will be transferred from Rimonim prison to Eshel prison in the south. He will no longer be allowed to see his family on visiting day.
In the interviews, Amir explained why he targeted Rabin and not Peres or another left-wing politician. “It wasn't personal. It wasn't a matter of hate... They knew that without Rabin, the so-called 'Mr. Security,' they couldn't do it... after Rabin was gone, Peres wasn't able to do anything,” he said. He also revealed earlier instances in which he was close to Rabin or Peres and was carrying a gun, but did not shoot.
When asked who influenced him before the killing, Amir said he those who motivated him most were senior politicians and military officials. “[Ariel] Sharon, Raful [Former Chief of Staff Rafael Eitan—ed.], Ghandi [Minister Rehavam Ze'evi—ed.], all of those who understood the military aspect, who said this accord [Oslo] would bring disaster.” Amir rejected the widespread belief that he was influenced by religious figures. “I didn't need a rabbi... it wasn't an issue for rabbis,” he said. “I saw that all of the big military experts said it would bring disaster.”
Peace Now head Yariv Oppenheimer responded to reports of the interview by calling on the media not to publish Amir's words. “All media outlets must refrain from publishing the whole interview,” he said. “The murderer and his followers are trying to dominate the public discourse... the media must not cooperate with them, it must not let their voices be heard.”