Rabin Square and the Rabin Memorial
Formerly known as Kings of Israel Square, Rabin Square was renamed in 1995. In November of 1995, the square hosted a peace rally attended by many Israeli musicians, politicians, and supporters of peace, following the recent Oslo Accords. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin left the stage upon which he had spoken to the crowd and was assassinated by a religious Jewish extremist. Soon after, the square was renamed in his honor, and the Rabin Memorial was built on the site. The memorial was designed by Israeli artist, Yael Artsi. It comprises 16 basalt rocks each sculpted in a different texture and character which represent the earthquake that many Israelis felt following the murder of Yitzhak Rabin. A graffiti filled wall where Israeli citizens left memorial candles following the incident is still visible and commemorates the day that changed the nation.
Rabin Square is located in the city center, adjacent to the Tel Aviv City Hall building. It is surrounded by many of Tel Aviv’s busiest commercial and residential streets, including bustling Ibn Gvirol Street, tree-lined Ben Gurion Boulevard, and residential Frishman Street and Khen Boulevard. A wide variety of restaurants, pubs, the Gan HaIr mall and local boutiques can be found around the square’s circumference. Rabin Square has fountains, seating areas, a dog park and trees for the benefit of the city’s local residents and visiting groups. Rabin Square is used for all of Tel Aviv’s largest rallies, parades, protests and celebrations.