Sharon affected my decision to kill Rabin: Assassin

Jerusalem, Oct 31 (PTI) Jailed assassin of former Israeli
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin has said his decision to kill the
leader was prompted by several warnings issued by military
experts, including Ariel Sharon.

"Sharon, Raful (Raphael Eitan,) Gandhi (Rehavam Ze'evi)
all the military experts, who said this agreement (Oslo
agreement with the Palestinians) will result in disaster.
There is no need for a Rabbi for this. This is not about a
Rabbi saying...I saw that all the greatest military experts
said agreement will lead to a disaster," Yigal Amir told
Channel 10 when asked who influenced his decision.

The assassin also revealed that he had an opportunity to
murder Rabin even before November 4, 1995 when he felt that he
may later "regret" for not doing so.

"My friend married Rabbi Lau's daughter. Rabin was one of
the guests. He sat by the table with only one bodyguard next
to him. If I would have walked over there to shake his hand, I
could have shot him easily had I wanted to," Amir told the
local TV channel.

"I was right next to him...walking around. I was there
with a gun. But I didn't do it. I saw how easy it was. I told
myself that in a few years I'll regret that I didn't do it, or
something like that," he added.

The Israel Prisons Service was shocked to learn that
Rabin's assassin gave two phone interviews to Israel's two
popular commercial channels, Channel 2 and Channel 10, without
permission.

It has decided to transfer him to the protective custody
wing of Eshel prison in southern Israel and revoke his other
privileges.

"As a result, Amir will face disciplinary action. His
phone privileges will be revoked, as will family visits," the
Prison Services said in a statement.

Amir's family blamed the media for framing him.

"The correspondent arrived under the guise of asking for
a court approval to interview him, and taped him without his
knowledge. He insisted that his words will not be quoted or
aired," Amir's brother, Amitai, told news portal 'Ynetnews'.

"This is blatant deception," he asserted.

The assassins wife, Larissa Trimbobler, told the portal
that she will appeal against the decision to revoke his
privileges.

"The correspondent told us it was only background talks
to convince the editors there was a story and that it wouldn't
be aired. Yigal knows he is not allowed to be interviewed,"
Trimbobler said.
"We will try to fight this decision although I don't
think it will help. Once the media gets a hold of it, it's a
done deal. To them, he's guilty," she added.