Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid a wreath at a grave-side tribute Sunday to Yitzhak Rabin, three years after the Israeli leader was shot and killed by a Jewish ultranationalist following a peace rally.
Several demonstrators at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery heckled Netanyahu and shouted, "Murderer! Murderer!" during the ceremony, attended by politicians, Rabin's family and dignitaries.Those in attendance laid flowers and stones at the grave, a Jewish tradition.
None of the unarmed hecklers approached Netanyahu, but their shouts clearly disturbed the somber ceremony. Police spokeswoman Linda Menuhin said five people were arrested.
On Nov. 4, 1995, as he was leaving the rally in Tel Aviv, Rabin was shot and killed by 25-year-old Yigal Amir, who said he wanted to stop Rabin's land-for-peace policies with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu, leader of the opposition when Rabin was prime minister, was blamed by both Rabin's family and members of the left-wing Labor Party for contributing to the poisonous political atmosphere leading up to the assassination.
On the third anniversary of Rabin's death according to the Jewish calendar, Netanyahu opened his weekly Cabinet meeting with a minute of silence and Israel's parliament held a special session in memory of the former Israeli premier, defense minister and war hero.