Brother of Rabin assassin freed from jail, eliciting joy and rage

The release of Hagai Amir, the brother of Yigal Amir -- who was convicted of murdering former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 -- has aroused mixed feelings among Amir's friends and foes. Amir's family and right-wing activists planned parties for him upon his release on Friday, while some people who live in the Amir family's neighborhood in Herzliya were angered by the fact that he has returned to the neighborhood.

"I hope someone spits in his face when he walks in the street without embarrassment. I have no homecoming congratulations for a person who didn't even express regret over what he did," a neighborhood resident said.

Amir was released from Ayalon Prison in Ramla on Friday after serving 16 years, 15 of which were for conspiring to commit a crime and unlawful possession of weapons. He served an additional year after threatening to kill former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2006.

Others said Amir has paid his debt to society. Avigdor Yefet, a veteran resident of the city said, "Even the most notorious criminal has a right to live. Rabin Park, which was built behind the family's home, preserves his memory for them and all of us."

Ariel Atari, Amir's attorney, said on Thursday, "The Amir family is embracing Hagai and showering him with love as he is released. Contrary to what is being said in the media about his release, the family is enjoying a great deal of warmth and support from the public."

Labor party chair Shelly Yachimovich said on Thursday that Hagai Amir's release made Friday a sad day for Israel, one which reminded society of the terrible trauma a prime minister's murder. "Hagai Amir was an accomplice to the most severe crime in the history of democracy in Israel," she said." He should have stayed in jail, and woe unto us if the message of his release is that the crime will now be forgiven and forgotten."

Labor party activists are planning a protest outside Amir's home. "We will make it clear that we will never forget nor forgive. This is a reminder to the Jewish people that our democratic foundations are stronger than any act of violence," one activist said.

Dalia Rabin, daughter of the late prime minister, also commented on Amir's release and said, "The public, not my family, should express itself concerning his release from prison. My personal feelings about this situation are complex. We feel the same way any family would if someone murdered their loved one. But there is a public dimension here for which the country's leaders should have their say."

Noa Rothman, Yitzhak Rabin's granddaughter, reportedly wrote on her Facebook page on Thursday, "Hagai Amir is being released. That's the way it is in a democracy. I know. But what can you do? The heart is irrational. It burns. Especially on a day like today ... because 16 and a half years have gone by and it hurts and insults as if it was yesterday. I feel like screaming, but what else can we say about this-"

Amir spent most of his time in prison in solitary confinement and was said to have never expressed remorse over his role in the murder of Rabin.

Amir returned to his home in Herzliya and is expected to spend the weekend with family, Larissa Amir-Trimbobler, wife of his brother Yigal, in a settlement in Judea and Samaria over the weekend.

Before his release, Amir told his attorney that he plans to work as a welder and find a bride.

A prison official said on Thursday that Amir was not considered a rowdy convict despite committing six behavioral offenses while in prison, which included talking back and using foul language against prison officials, for which he was fined and warned.

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