Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Reuven Rivlin is the tenth president of Israel. He was elected today by the Knesset (Parliament) by 63 votes against 53, beating Meir Sheetrit.
Rivlin, 75, born in Jerusalem, married and father of four children, is a member of the Likud Party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was, among other things, parliamentary speaker.
Considered a nationalist, in the past he has spoken in favor of settlements and against the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. "The country cannot be divided," he said, assuming "a system in one state," in which "the Jews would vote for a Jewish parliament and the Palestinians for an Arab parliament." A position that puts him at odds with Netanyahu's statements in support of the two-state solution.
Although the Israeli president occupies a largely ceremonial position and has no formal role, Rivlin's political opinions could still pose a problem for the international community.
