Rivlin condemns terrorist attack during visit with rookie soldiers

“We are hearing vicious incitement against Israel from all sides, and it must not be allowed to continue,” says Rivlin.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
Reuven Rivlin (photo credit: REUTERS)
Reuven Rivlin
(photo credit: REUTERS)
There is no doubt that Israel is under deliberate and strategically contrived attack, President Reuven Rivlin said on Tuesday in the course of a visit to the IDF Induction Center  at Tel Hashomer, where he met with new recruits of the Kfir Brigade. The president was accompanied by Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, and Maj. Gen. Hagai Topolansky, Head of the IDF Personnel Directorate.
Rivlin condemned the terrorist attack on synagogue worshippers in Jerusalem, expressed condolences to the families of the dead and sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.
He said that he had no doubt that Israel’s security and defense establishment would triumph over the terrorists and eradicate them.  At the same time, he noted that the chain of events is not coincidental.
Rivlin, who has made the quest for national unity one of his presidential priorities, said that at this time, unity is more urgent than ever in order to be able to maintain a united front against terror and other challenges confronting the nation.
Rivlin was careful to emphasize that Israel has no quarrel with people of any particular faith, certainly not between Jews and Muslims.  He commended Palestinian Authority President Mahnoud Abbas for having spoken out against the attack on synagogue worshippers, but declared that this was not enough, and called on Abbas to put his energies into quelling incitement.
“We are hearing vicious incitement against Israel from all sides, and it must not be allowed to continue,” said Rivlin.
When speaking to reporters, Rivlin called on members of all political parties to put aside their differences for the common good. At the same time that Israel must concern itself with security he said, it must also worry about the economy. It is impossible to face ongoing challenges without a budget, said Rivlin.  “Now is not the time for elections.  Now is the time for unity.”
In addressing the new conscripts, Rivlin told them that Israel doesn’t need supermen.  It needs soldiers with good heads who can think clearly, who can undertake a mission and execute it to the best of their ability.