Day 33 - Rabin Square, Shuk Hacarmel & Nachlat Binyamin (Netzach)

Today's wake up was at the usual time of 7:30, followed by a tasty breakfast then by prayers. We left our hotel at 9:30 on a hour long bus ride to Tel Aviv. 

We first went to Kings of Israel Square now known as Rabin Square. We walked to Rabin's memorial and Jonty explained in great depth about the tension between both political wings as Rabin attempted to negotiate a peace deal with the Palestinians. Rabin's assassination occurred upon the conclusion of Israel's biggest political rally at the time. When Rabin finished speaking he walked down the stairs and Yigal Amir walked through the security and shot Rabin from point blank range. 

Rabin's memorial is moving as there are many tiny details like Bills Clinton's famous words שלום חבר above his plaque as well as the Hebrew date of the assassination not present on the plaque. Also to the left of the memorial in huge letters spray painted in blue reading סליחה, sorry. The memorial itself is a collection of some unstable stones, which depict the political upheaval in Israel caused by the assassination and tensions at the time which fuelled the violence.

After we had free time in Shuk HaCarmel. I bought myself a delicious Shawrma then walked through the loud, crowded Shuk filled with many stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. The sellers constantly shouted their special offers to customers in Hebrew and some I managed to understand. My friend and I together bought a challah for 10 shek and you could taste how fresh it was as it was extremely fluffy. What a bargain! I also bought myself a fresh berry juice, which was extremely delicious. 

I am looking forward towards the last Shabbat which I will be spending with Netzach and it is hard to believe that there is only one more shabbos left on IST.

Nadav