WATCH: Merv Griffin Interviews Yitzhak Rabin in Israel, 1976

In 1976, American television host Merv Griffin came to Israel, where he interviewed Yitzhak Rabin, who was then Israel’s Prime Minister (he would of course be PM a second time from 1992 until his assassination in 1995).

It is a fascinating interview, done in a very relaxed way (after they played tennis!) Besides giving insight into Rabin’s beliefs about Israel and peace, it also shows a different side to the man who supposedly had no sense of humor – he comes up with a few zingers here, especially the one about the Shah of Iran.

It ends with Merv Griffin giving high praise for Israel and her people.

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1 thought on “WATCH: Merv Griffin Interviews Yitzhak Rabin in Israel, 1976”

  1. This interview could easily have been yesterday; “we prefer, we hope, we wish that peace will be achieved, BUT OUR EXISTENCE DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE WILL OF OUR NEIGHBOURS.”
    So why are the conditions much worse for Israel now? It’s not as if Israel has started any wars, conquered more land, changed its democratic structure in any adverse way, expelled Palestinian Arabs, or changed the laws re Arab citizens. On the contrary, since then, Israel gave up Sinai for a piece of paper with the word “peace”, withdrew completely from Gaza and signed a peace agreement with Jordan. Why are things worse? I believe this is also answered by Rabin in the interview, although in this case, he is mistaken. Merv asks Rabin what his utopian plan for peace is. Rabin answers “I believe that once our neighbours realise that there is no hope for them to destroy Israel, with use of force, OR TO CREATE CONDITIONS WHERE OUR FRIENDS DO NOT SUPPORT ISRAEL, then they will come to the conclusion that they have to reconcile”.
    The problem has not been with our neighbours, although it is unfortunate that they essentially HAVEN’T changed. The real problem that has prevented peace is with our “friends”.

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