To commemorate the assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a PES delegation visited Israel and Palestine on October 21 and 22. The delegation, composed of PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck and Deputy Secretary General Saar Van Bueren, held a series of meetings to discuss political developments in the Middle East, particularly in the run-up to the Israeli elections, and to express its support for Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, a PES-associated party.
The programme included a commemoration organised by the Democrats at the memorial to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Tel Aviv, attended by Democrats leader Yair Golan and party members. It also included the official commemoration at Mount Herzl National Military Cemetery in Jerusalem.
During their exchange with Yair Golan, the delegation highlighted Rabin’s importance as a symbol of peace and reconciliation, emphasising the importance of preserving the memory of leaders who championed a future built on peace, prosperity, and mutual respect. They stressed that Rabin’s legacy serves as a reminder of the need to uphold the human rights, dignity, and security of both peoples and to pursue a path based on dialogue and coexistence. They underlined the importance of carrying this vision forward and expressed their support for Yair Golan in continuing Rabin’s legacy.
As part of this visit, the delegation travelled to Ramallah in Palestine and met with Yasser Abbas, the Palestinian Authority’s High Commissioner for International Affairs and member of Fatah’s Central Committee. Discussions focused on the current situation, the implications of the Israeli elections for Palestinians, and the PA’s efforts to restore peace and stability.
The PES condemns all acts of violence, including the killing of Israeli soldiers, and strongly condemns the latest escalation by Netanyahu’s government in the occupied West Bank, including Israeli military operations and closures that further restrict the movement and daily lives of Palestinians. These developments risk fuelling further violence and instability, undermining prospects for peace. The PES calls for an end to the escalation, respect for international law and renewed efforts towards a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
Finally, building on PES President Stefan Löfven’s call for the release of Marwan Barghouti during the previous PES Presidency, the delegation met with Arab and Fadwa, Marwan Barghouti’s son and wife, to convey his message of solidarity.
