Rabin Square, Kikar Rabin in Hebrew, was established along with Tel Aviv’s City Hall in 1964. The sprawling space soon became a place of activism and community celebrations. Any other day, you can come here to reflect on some pivotal moments in the history of Israel.
This urban space was initially designed as a functional, paved square with little room for recreation, but recent improvements include trees, fountains, a pleasant seating area and a dog park.
This central square was named Kikar Malchei Israel (Kings of Israel Square) until it was renamed in honor of Yitzhak Rabin, Israel’s former prime minister. Rabin was assassinated here in 1995. He was shot by a religious Jewish extremist during a Peace Support Rally in the wake of the Oslo Accords.
A sunken memorial, made by the sculptress Yael Ben-Artzi, marks the spot where Rabin was assassinated. Note how the irregularly placed basalt rocks from the Golan Heights symbolize Rabin’s local roots and the rocky years that followed his death.
During a candle-lit vigil on the night of the murder, demonstrators wrote messages of hope and mourning on the walls in the square. Head up the stairs to see a preserved piece of the original wall, which included Rabin's final words, printed in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
To the south, a Holocaust memorial sculpture stands in stark contrast to the peaceful pond with floating lotus flowers at its feet. The inverted metal pyramid was designed by Israeli artist Yigal Tumarkin, who sought to symbolize the path from distress to joy. The open pyramid is like a claustrophobic cage that you can escape by reaching for the blue skies above.
Rabin Square is located in the heart of Tel Aviv and is surrounded by many of Tel Aviv’s busiest streets, such as Ben Gurion Boulevard and Ibn Gabirol Street.
Rabin Square is a public space that is accessible year-round. The easiest way to get here is by car and taxi along Ibn Gabirol Street, Malkhei Yisra'el Street, Frishman Street or Chen Boulevard. Plans are underway for a large underground parking complex below the square.
