Eyal ("Ram," in Hebrew; Jewish National Organization; Jewish Combat Organization)
EYAL ("ram," in Hebrew; Jewish National Organization; Jewish Combat Organization)
Name of an Israeli ultranationalist splinter group created in April 1991 by Avishai Raviv. Associated with the older ultra-Orthodox Kach Party, the movement has been responsible for several anti-Palestinian attacks, and also has been suspected of assassinating Jews accused of treason by its leaders. On 22 September 1995, Israeli television filmed the members of Eyal, their heads hooded, in the process of swearing on a pistol and a Bible and accusing Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of treason. On the following 4 November, Yigal Amir, an Israeli Jew close to Eyal, assassinated Yitzhak Rabin. Brought before a magistrate, he declared that he was "inspired by God." During the investigation, unconfirmed rumors circulated that Eyal was created by Shin Beth to penetrate Israeli extremist milieux. The organization receives financial backing from Jewish extremist groups in the United States.
SEE ALSO Kach Party.