A momentous virtual event led by the B’nai B’rith Centre has officially launched Unity, a new exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of the late Israeli Prime Minister and Nobel Prize peacemaker Yitzhak Rabin.
The event was held on Wednesday, November 4 to commemorate 25 years to the day since Rabin was tragically assassinated.
Philanthropist Eitan Neishlos, whose support helped bring the exhibition to life attended the launch and officially declared the exhibition open.
“I’m so proud to honour Yitzhak Rabin through Unity, an Australian exhibition to honour a man I’ve looked up to my whole life,” Mr Neishlos said.
“A soldier, a peacemaker, a strategist and an innovator.
“A man who negotiated from strength, who commanded the respect of all Israelis of all persuasion, and international leaders.”
Rabin was a proclaimed ‘solider in the army of peace’. US President Bill Clinton says that if Rabin lived, the world would be a different place and Rabin’s belief in negotiation over force delivered a golden era of Israeli/Arab relations during his second tenure as Prime Minister.
Rabin’s accomplished career as an innate leader took him from a military soldier to a Noble Peace Prize recipient. After decades defending his country with military force, Rabin later devoted his political life to pursuing peace negotiations to benefit the people of Israel.
This important educational landmark exhibition, curated by Alexandra Hillman, features a rare photography from the Rabin centre in Tel Aviv, exclusive video content and excerpts of eulogies from world leaders including Bill Clinton, King Hussein and Hosni Mubarak.
The exhibition will take visitors through the extraordinary life of Yitzhak Rabin and his profound legacy of democracy, leadership and monumental global peace efforts.
President Bill Clinton fixing Rabin’s bow tie at their last meeting. Avi Ohayon, The National Photo Collection of Israel, Government Press Office. Images courtesy of Israeli government photo archive unityexhibition.com
“Unity aims to educate visitors about the history of Israel’s former prime minister and his influence on the nation as he evolved from war veteran to leading peace negotiator,” Hillman said.
“As visitors explore the exhibition, they will be encouraged to connect to the values that Rabin stood for such as democracy, leadership, unity and above all, peace.”
Mr Neishlos said t he opening of Unity on the anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin’s tragic assassination was a rare opportunity “for visitors to learn of his courageous leadership and pursuit of democracy that will continue to influence the generations of today”.
Rabin kissed by civilians after the June 1967 victory, courtesy IDF and Defense Establishment Archives. Images courtesy of Israeli government photo archive unityexhibition.com
“The exhibition will symbolise the special bond between Australia and Israel, two countries, even though far away from each other both pursuing peace, supporting human rights and emphasising the sanctity of life, the important legacies of Rabin,” Embassy of Israel Deputy Chief of Mission Ron Gerstenfeld said.
UNITY will be open by appointment only and will also feature an accompanying programme of lectures and private tours.
