THE ASSASSINATION

Rabin was shot to death by a Jewish settler on Saturday shortly after addressing a mass peace rally attended by 100,000 people in The King's Square in Tel Aviv. ``"For 27 years, I was a military man. I fought all the time. There was no chance for peace. I believe that now there is a chance for peace and we must take advantage of it," Rabin said, as the huge crowd applauded. "I have always believed that most of the people want peace and are ready to take a risk for it." As Rabin walked toward his car after speaking, a 27-year-old law student who had been involved in illegal West Bank settlements opened fire, hitting Rabin in the spine, chest and back. "They took Rabin out on a stretcher," said one eye-witness. "He was lying on his side with a bloodstain on his chest and abdomen. His eyes were closed." Rabin, 73, died of the wounds during emergency treatment at Ichilov Hospital nearby. The Israeli Cabinet immediately gathered in emergency session. A Cabinet spokesman said that Foreign Minister Shimon Peres will take over as acting Prime Minister.