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LIKUD USA STRONGLY CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN

NEW YORK -- Saying that "murder and political violence cannot be condoned or excused and has no legitimate place in Zionist discourse," Likud USA President Howard Barbanel unequivocally condemned the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on Saturday, November 4th.

"Every Likud member and supporter in the United States is shocked and disgusted by the tragic murder of Mr. Rabin," Barbanel added. "We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Leah, to his children and grandchildren at this sad hour."

Echoing calls by Israeli Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, Barbanel called for unity at this crucial time. "We hope this tragic incident will draw the people of Israel together to achieve a peace which will bring real security for Israel, a peace which will enjoy broad-based support among the Israeli people," Barbanel said. "We hope to see a constructive reaching out from both sides of the Zionist body politic and an end to the emotionally charged tone which has characterized intra-Jewish relations for the past three years," Barbanel added.

Likud Party Chairman Netanyahu said that "extremist elements hurt the cause of decency and democracy" and that "we should debate, even shout, but nos hoot." Netanyahu added that "internecine strife is abhorrent to Jews because we lost our independence, our capital Jerusalem, and our Holy Temple over a civil war in the past."

"We call on Prime Minister Shimon Peres to lead the way for national conciliation and to work for a consensus which will united World Jewry," Barbanel concluded.