Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, newly elected Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was officially sworn in Thursday. President Shimon Peres gave his final speech as President, officially handing the mantle over to Rivlin, who then took the oath of office. Rivlin thanked Peres for a “lifetime of carrying this nation’s burden.” Israel’s Arab Knesset members boycotted the swearing-in ceremony in protest of the ongoing Israeli operation in Gaza, however.
Rivlin said, “We will continue setting down cornerstones and building our land. That is our commitment to our forefathers and descendants. Our enemies shoot from schools, use human shields, but they will not stop us. We believe we are in the right,” he said, referring to the ongoing Operation Protective Edge, Israel’s response to rocket fire from Hamas terrorists in Gaza. “We are not fighting the Palestinian people, and we are not at war with Islam. We are fighting against terrorism,” he said.
Reuven Rivlin
The newly elected President ended his speech exclaiming, “Long live the State of Israel!”
The President of Israel is a largely ceremonial figurehead role. The power of the executive lies with the Prime Minister of Israel. Presidents are elected by the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) for one seven-year term.
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