How did the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin affect the Oslo peace process?

The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on November 4, 1995, by a Jewish extremist was a pivotal event that contributed to the eventual breakdown of the Oslo Accords.12

While initial public support for the peace process surged immediately following his death, the political landscape shifted significantly. Rabin’s successor, Shimon Peres, attempted to continue the implementation of the agreements; however, he faced ongoing challenges, including continued attacks by Hamas and a growing political divide within Israel.31

In the May 1996 elections, Peres was defeated by Benjamin Netanyahu, who campaigned on a platform prioritizing security and opposing further concessions to the Palestine Liberation Organization. This leadership change, combined with deep-seated distrust between the negotiating parties and subsequent outbreaks of violence, led to the marginalization of the Israeli peace movement and the eventual stagnation of the peace process.142