The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968 was a pivotal and tragic event in American history, deeply affecting a nation already grappling with political unrest and social change. The man convicted of this crime was Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, a Palestinian immigrant whose actions brought the complex geopolitics of the Middle East into the heart of American domestic politics.

Sirhan Bishara Sirhan: The Assassin

Born on March 19, 1944, in Jerusalem, Sirhan Bishara Sirhan (Arabic: سرحان بشارة سرحان, Sirḥān Bišāra Sirḥān) was an individual whose life path intersected violently with that of a leading American political figure. Sirhan hailed from an Arab Christian family in Jerusalem, a city with profound historical and religious significance, where he received his early education at a Lutheran school. His background and experiences, particularly amidst the backdrop of the Arab-Israeli conflict, would later be cited as crucial to understanding his motivations.

On June 5, 1968, Sirhan fatally shot United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, just moments after Kennedy had claimed victory in the state's crucial Democratic presidential primary. Kennedy succumbed to his wounds the following day, June 6, 1968, at Good Samaritan Hospital. Sirhan was subsequently arrested, tried, and found guilty of murder for this heinous act.

Sirhan's stated motive, articulated in a 1989 interview with David Frost, was directly linked to the Middle East conflict. He explicitly stated, "My only connection with Robert Kennedy was his sole support of Israel and his deliberate attempt to send those 50 bombers to Israel to obviously do harm to the Palestinians." This statement alludes to Kennedy's public stance and a proposed sale of military aircraft to Israel, which Sirhan perceived as a direct threat to Palestinians following the 1967 Six-Day War. Many scholars view this assassination as a deeply disturbing, and arguably the first significant, act of political violence on American soil directly stemming from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

After his conviction, Sirhan was sentenced to life in prison and has since been incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County, California. Over the decades, he has sought parole multiple times, consistently being denied. However, on August 27, 2021, a two-person panel of the California parole board made a landmark decision to grant him parole. This decision was notable as prosecutors, under a policy from Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, chose not to participate in the hearing or oppose Sirhan's release. Despite this grant, his release was ultimately blocked on January 13, 2022, by California Governor Gavin Newsom, citing the profound impact of the crime and Sirhan's failure to take full responsibility.

Robert F. Kennedy: An American Icon

Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), affectionately known as Bobby or by his initials RFK, was a towering figure in American politics, a lawyer, and a statesman whose life was tragically cut short. He was not only the brother of President John F. Kennedy but also a formidable political force in his own right, widely regarded as an icon of modern American liberalism.

Born into the illustrious and politically powerful Kennedy family in Brookline, Massachusetts, Bobby's early life was steeped in public service and ambition. After serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1944 to 1946, he pursued higher education, earning degrees from Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. His early career saw him as a correspondent for The Boston Post and a lawyer at the Justice Department. However, his path quickly shifted towards political campaigning, where he masterfully managed his brother John's successful U.S. Senate campaign in 1952.

Kennedy's reputation as a sharp and relentless investigator grew during his time as assistant counsel to the Senate committee chaired by Senator Joseph McCarthy and, more prominently, as chief counsel of the Senate Labor Rackets Committee from 1957 to 1959. In this role, he famously confronted Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, exposing corrupt union practices and earning national attention for his unwavering pursuit of justice.

In 1960, he once again took the reins of his brother's presidential campaign, leading it to a historic victory. Following John F. Kennedy's inauguration, Robert was appointed United States Attorney General at the remarkably young age of 36, making him the youngest Cabinet member since Alexander Hamilton in 1789. He served as his brother's closest confidant and advisor, playing a crucial role in the administration's key policy decisions until President Kennedy's tragic assassination in November 1963.

As Attorney General, RFK championed several causes that would define his legacy. He was a vocal advocate for the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, deploying federal resources to protect activists and enforce desegregation. He also spearheaded an aggressive campaign against organized crime and the Mafia, significantly disrupting their operations. Furthermore, he was deeply involved in U.S. foreign policy, most notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a harrowing thirteen-day standoff with the Soviet Union that he vividly recounted in his book, Thirteen Days. It is also important to note that during his tenure, he authorized the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct limited wiretaps on Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a controversial decision reflecting the complex political climate of the era.

Following his brother's death, RFK remained in office for several months under President Lyndon B. Johnson. By 1964, he decided to forge his own political path, successfully running for the U.S. Senate from New York, defeating Republican incumbent Kenneth Keating. As a senator, Kennedy became a prominent voice opposing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, a stance that resonated with a growing segment of the American public. He also dedicated himself to combating poverty and fostering social justice, sponsoring legislation to attract private investment to struggling communities, epitomized by projects like the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. His commitment to human rights extended globally, leading him to travel to Eastern Europe, Latin America, and apartheid-era South Africa, where he formed crucial alliances with leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Walter Reuther.

The Assassination and Its Aftermath

In 1968, a tumultuous year in American history marked by social upheaval and political assassinations, Robert F. Kennedy emerged as a formidable candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. He captivated a broad coalition of voters, appealing to the poor, African Americans, Hispanic communities, Catholics, and young people, offering a message of hope and unity amidst division. His primary challenger was Senator Eugene McCarthy, who had also captured the anti-war sentiment of the electorate.

The evening of June 4, 1968, was a triumphant one for Kennedy. Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, he had just delivered his victory speech following his win in the pivotal California primary at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. As he walked through the hotel's pantry en route to a press conference, the celebration abruptly turned to horror. Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian, fired a pistol, mortally wounding Senator Kennedy. The alleged motive, as later understood, was Sirhan's intense anger over Kennedy's support for Israel in the wake of the 1967 Six-Day War. Kennedy died approximately 25 hours later, leaving the nation in profound grief and shock, barely two months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and still reeling from the loss of his brother five years prior.

Sirhan was swiftly arrested, indicted, and subsequently convicted of murder. Despite the clear legal outcome, much like his brother's assassination, Robert F. Kennedy's death continues to be the subject of widespread analysis, speculation, and numerous conspiracy theories, reflecting the enduring impact and unresolved questions surrounding these tragic events in American history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Sirhan Sirhan?

Sirhan Bishara Sirhan is a Palestinian convicted murderer who was found guilty of assassinating U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968.

Who was Robert F. Kennedy?

Robert Francis Kennedy, also known as RFK or Bobby, was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 64th U.S. Attorney General and later as a U.S. Senator from New York. He was a prominent Democrat and brother of President John F. Kennedy, known for his work in civil rights and social justice.

What was Sirhan Sirhan's stated motive for the assassination?

Sirhan stated his motive was Robert F. Kennedy's strong support for Israel and a proposed plan to send 50 bomber aircraft to Israel, which Sirhan believed would harm Palestinians, particularly after the 1967 Six-Day War.

When and where did the assassination take place?

The assassination occurred on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, shortly after Kennedy won the California Democratic presidential primary.

What was the outcome of Sirhan Sirhan's parole hearings?

In August 2021, Sirhan was granted parole by a California parole board panel. However, this decision was subsequently blocked by California Governor Gavin Newsom in January 2022, and Sirhan remains incarcerated.

What was Robert F. Kennedy's significance in American politics?

RFK was a dynamic political figure who served as Attorney General during his brother's presidency, advocating for civil rights and fighting organized crime. As a Senator and presidential candidate, he championed social justice, opposed the Vietnam War, and was seen as a leading voice of modern American liberalism.

Are there any conspiracy theories surrounding RFK's assassination?

Yes, similar to his brother's death, Robert F. Kennedy's assassination remains the subject of various conspiracy theories and widespread analysis, despite Sirhan Sirhan's conviction.