RABIN ASSASSINATED. PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 11:15 P.M. AFTER BEING SHOT.

Ariel Jerozolimski

Rabin was pronounced dead at 11:15 p.m. by doctors at Ichilov Hospital, where he had been brought with wounds to his back, abdomen, and chest. He died on the operating table from massive hemorrhaging and heart failure, without regaining consciousness.

The prime minister was not wearing a bullet-proof vest, security sources said.

"The government of Israel announces with astonishment and deep sorrow the death of Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was murdered by an assassin tonight in Tel Aviv," senior aide Eitan Haber announced outside Ichilov.

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres convened the cabinet in Tel Aviv last night in a special session to appoint a replacement for Rabin, who will head a transition government. President Ezer Weizman, who arrived at the hospital at midnight with US Ambassador Martin Indyk, will now consult with the acting prime minister on the formation of a new government.

Environment Minister Yossi Sarid vowed the government would carry on Rabin's peace policies.

The funeral is to be on Monday. US President Bill Clinton, who announced Rabin's death to the US with the Hebrew words, "Shalom haver (goodbye friend)," told Leah Rabin on the phone last night that he plans to attend. CNN reported that King Hussein will also attend the funeral.

The assassin, Yigal Amir, a law student at Bar-Ilan University, ran towards Rabin and fired as the premier was getting into his limousine. Amir told interrogators at Hayarkon police station that he "did not regret his deed," which he said was "planned for some time."

A police source said that Amir had twice before attempted to assassinate Rabin, but no more details were available. In the two previous attempts, said the source, Amir tried to get close to the prime minister and was armed both times.

Amir was apprehended immediately after the shooting by police and pressed up against a cement wall, as dozens of policemen surrounded him.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Rabin collapse. His bodyguards pushed him into the car and whisked him off to Ichilov Hospital, some 500 meters away. One of Rabin's bodyguards was also wounded by bullets.

Health Minister Ephraim Sneh told reporters at midnight that Rabin sustained bullet wounds in the spinal cord, spleen, and chest.

"Rabin arrived at the hospital with no blood pressure and no pulse," Sneh said.

At Ichilov, Yevgeny, an eyewitness in the emergency room, said: "Security guards ran in suddenly and said, 'Clear the room. Rabin has been hit.' Then they brought him in on a stretcher. His eyes were closed. I believe he was unconscious. He was lying on his side and there was a big blood stain on his chest and stomach. Then they told everyone to leave the emergency ward."

The prime minister's wife, Leah, was alongside her husband when the shooting took place, but was not hurt.

An unknown organization called Ayin - the Hebrew acronym for Avenging Jewish Organization - took the credit for the assassination. The statement was sent to reporters' beepers and was accompanied by a phone number which reporters were told not to call.

Hundreds of demonstrators rushed from Kikar Malchei Yisrael to Ichilov as the news of the shooting circulated. Two cars carrying Likud banners sped by with people chanting from inside, "Rabin is dead," while Rabin was still on the operating table.

At the entrance to Ichilov, some 1,000 people gathered but were kept out of the hospital and the area was lit by television cameras televising government ministers arriving and rushing into the hospital.

Near the entrance, youths wept and a group of teenagers wearing Peace Now T-shirts lit candles in a vigil for the prime minister.

Tel Aviv Municipality security officer Arye Rokah was on the city hall balcony overlooking the plaza. He said that, "As Rabin was getting into his car, a man ran out from beneath the steps with his hand outstretched and holding a gun. He fired at Rabin. The bodyguards pushed Rabin into the car and bolted away from the spot before the ambulances arrived."

Labor MK Dalia Itzik was nearby when the incident occurred. She described Rabin, coming down the steps, "right after Peres. It was shocking. People were there and suddenly shots rang out. The security people grabbed Rabin and within seconds were out of there. I saw Rabin fall. I don't know what happened to him. There was incredible confusion but he fell and the security people immediately fell on top of him."

Holon Mayor Motti Sasson, who was standing next to the platform with Itzik, said: "Rabin came down towards the crowd and was walking towards his car. Peres had left the podium about two minutes earlier. The attacker shot at Rabin from less than three meters away. We couldn't see what happened to Rabin, because the security guards bundled him into the car immediately and sped off at lightning speed."

"We saw Rabin grabbing his stomach and then falling on the ground. The guards immediately bundled him into his car. I think there were other wounded, too," he said.

"Rabin was going down, leaving, and there were four shots," said Yishai Shuschter. "Chaos broke out and ambulances came here."

Ruth Yadgar said she was also standing near the steps when the prime minister was walking down with his guards. "First I saw Peres, who was shaking hands with everyone," she said. "He was followed by singer Miri Aloni, and then Rabin followed. When he got near his car, we heard shots, and saw crowds running away."

Rabin had given a moving speech at the rally. His last words to the crowd were:

"I was a military man for 27 years. I waged war as long as there was no chance for peace. I believe there is now a chance for peace, a great chance, and we must take advantage of it for those standing here, and for those who are not here - and they are many. I have always believed that the majority of the people want peace and are ready to take a chance for peace."

Third Anniversary coverage: November 1, 1998

Mordechai: Continue Rabin's legacy
A lesson in remembrance (Feature)
Nothing has changed (Opinion)
Rabin's victory (Opinion)

From the day following the assassination:
November 5, 1995
Rabin Assassinated

From the day of the funeral:
November 7, 1995
Rabin laid to rest on Mt. Herzl

From the First Anniversary:
October 24, 1996
Yitzhak Rabin: The Sabra, the Mensch
From Father to Son

From the Second Anniversary:
November 9, 1997
Massive rally honors Rabin

Yitzhak Rabin Peace Center

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