The contemporary Yitzhak Rabin Center is home to the interactive Israeli Museum. Watch some of the 200 short documentaries that together tell the story of Israel, by following the biography of Yitzhak Rabin.
The Yitzhak Rabin Center was founded by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, after their leader Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. He was shot by a religious Jewish extremist in Tel Aviv’s main square in 1995. Rabin was often praised for his strong leadership and his message of peace, security and social responsibility. At the same time, the prime minister was dubbed the “Undiplomatic Diplomat,” because of his straightforward rhetoric.
The Yitzhak Rabin Center serves to illustrate the impact he had on the people and history of Israel. The national institute’s educational program encourages students and soldiers to engage in civil cultural exchanges in the Middle East.
Take a journey back in time in the on-site Israeli Museum. Get an audio device with a narrative in English to explore the exhibits at your own pace or pay to join a guided group tour. Designed as a downward spiral, the exhibits cover the nation’s political changes from around Yitzhak Rabin’s birth in the 1920s to his shocking dead in 1995.
The final exhibit expresses hope for the continuation of Rabin’s ideologies. You are encouraged to write a message of support on the transparent panels that overlap a photo of the original graffiti wall in the square where he was shot. The gently flowing stream that accompanies you on your way out symbolizes the continuation of Yitzhak Rabin’s chosen path to unity.
The Yitzhak Rabin Center is perched on a hill in Hayarkon Park. Before you leave, linger a while in the atrium to see the modern coastal city spread out below you.
It’s only a short walk to the center from several nearby bus stops, such as those at the corner of Namir & Chaim Levanon. Alternatively, park your car by the Eretz Israel Museum next door. The Yitzhak Rabin Center is open daily, except Saturdays. Admission is free. Because of the graphic nature of the videos, it is not suitable for younger children.
