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Son Says Israel Owes Hecht an Apology
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Tuesday March 24 3:47 PM EST
WASHINGTON, March 24 (UPI) - The son of a U.S. rabbi accused
of calling for the death of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin says his father will not travel to Israel, although a ban
on his entry has been lifted.
Joshua Hecht tells United Press International today that his
father, 77-year-old Abraham B. Hecht, never called for Rabin's
murder or said he regretted not having the privilege of killing
Rabin himself.
Hecht said, ``This has not been written or published anywhere.''
Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by a right-wing orthodox Jew.
Abraham Hecht has been quoted as citing Jewish scripture to justify
the killing.
Joshua Hecht said, ``If anything, the state of Israel owes
a tremendous apology to Rabbi Abraham B. Hecht for distorting
his words, for quoting him out of context, for doctoring his TV
interviews, for broadcasting comments that he made way before
the tragic assassination.. .as if he had said them the day after
the assassination.''
Hecht said his father had sent a letter to Rabin clarifying
his remarks a month before Rabin's death.
Hecht said his father is ``very pleased'' the ban against him
has been lifted but has no plans to travel to Israel.
He criticized the Israeli government for trying to discredit
``an outspoken voice for the Jewish conscience.''
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