How to Pronounce Yitzhak Rabin

Meaning and Context

Yitzhak Rabin, born in Jerusalem in 1922, was a foundational Israeli military leader and statesman whose career profoundly shaped the nation's history. As the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the decisive Six-Day War of 1967, he secured his legacy as a national hero before transitioning to a political career marked by both security pragmatism and bold diplomacy. Serving two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister of Israel, first from 1974 to 1977 and again from 1992 until his death, Rabin's later tenure is most remembered for his pursuit of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. This culminated in the signing of the historic Oslo Accords in 1993, for which he, along with Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994. His assassination on November 4, 1995, by a Jewish extremist opposed to his peace policies, marked a tragic and transformative moment in Israeli politics, casting a long shadow over the region's ongoing conflict and the legacy of the Oslo peace process.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Yitzhak Rabin. Common misspellings and variations often arise from transliteration challenges from the original Hebrew (יצחק רבין). Frequent errors include "Yitzak" (omitting the 'h'), "Yitzhak Rabbin" (with a double 'b'), or "Itzhak Rabin" (using an 'I' instead of a 'Y', which is an accepted alternate transliteration but less common in English media). The first name is sometimes misspelled as "Yitzhak" or "Yitzak," while the surname can be confused with "Rabinowitz" or incorrectly written as "Robin," confusing it with the English name. In historical documents, one might also encounter the older transliteration "Yitshak Rabin." Ensuring correct spelling is crucial for academic and historical accuracy, particularly when researching the 1995 assassination or the Oslo Accords.

Example Sentences

The iconic photograph of Yitzhak Rabin shaking hands with Yasser Arafat at the White House ceremony remains a powerful symbol of a fleeting moment of hope in the Middle East.

Historians often debate how the trajectory of the peace process might have changed had Rabin not been assassinated in Tel Aviv in 1995.

In his final speech at the "Yes to Peace, No to Violence" rally, Rabin passionately described the toll of war, stating that he had fought for decades but now saw a chance for reconciliation.

Many biographies of Yitzhak Rabin meticulously detail his evolution from a military commander to a peacemaker willing to take monumental risks.

The square where he was killed, formerly Kings of Israel Square, was renamed Rabin Square in his memory, serving as a central site for national commemorations and political gatherings.

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