Rabin grandson decries release campaign

JERUSALEM, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The grandson of slain Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin said he finds it troubling that extreme-right activists are trying to secure the killer's release.

Rabin's grandson, Yonatan Ben-Artzi, said the country's extreme-right is engaged in a propaganda campaign to free Yigal Amir from prison, Ynetnews reported Tuesday.

Ben-Artzi said those calling for Amir's release are "spreading hate not only against Rabin, but against leaders (elected) since his murder -- including our present prime minister."

The campaign involves relatives and friends of Amir releasing tapes calling for his release. Singer Ariel Zilber has been actively involved in the campaign.

"These propaganda tapes are being made by a group of people who are being financed by crazy wealthy rightist activists," Ben-Artzi said.

"I am not in the opposition of the current decision-makers in Israel, but the necessary tools are available for use. I think that there is a need to take severe measures against this group, especially those financing this effort -- this represents the funding of terrorism inside Israel," he said.