ABSTRACT
It is difficult to recall any Israeli domestic affair that drew so much attention in the history of the Muslim Middle East. The interest was widespread and unprecedented and masses of media consumers were carried away by the report on the murder and its aftermath. For millions of Arabs it was an event that gave them a rare opportunity to have an unrestricted glimpse inside Israel. Radio stations and television channels interrupted their programs to break the news about the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. His funeral was broadcast live in many countriesthe first transmission of its type in Egypt since the historic visit of President Sadat to Jerusalem and the first live broadcast from Israel ever screened in Jordan and other countries in the region. For hours on end Arab viewers were transported to the streets of Jerusalem, watching with the Israeli mourners, listening to the eulogies of their leaders before the burial and closely monitoring the events unfolding in front of their eyes after the funeral. Israel was an integral part of their living room for many days. It was a media event in all respects such as has never been seen before in the Arab World.
