President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday 1 Teves, as part of his US visit, addressed the Haaretz Conference in New York City. The President said, “In times of Right-wing coalitions, and in times of Left-wing coalitions, Haaretz always remained in opposition, and criticized both sides when necessary. Being in the opposition is not an easy job. Most of my youth, I belonged to the opposition – to the ‘wrong’ side. Knowing that the public has chosen a different way, the opposition must work hard to convince them it has better solutions. It must reconnect with the public and still keep to its own truth. Without this effort, without a live-and-kicking opposition, our democracy is worth little. I am here today because I believe that the free market of ideas is a sacred principle.”

The President related to the participation in a separate evet at the conference, of representatives of a group critical of the Israel Defense Forces. The President said, “From time to time the obvious should be said. Especially during these days, when we are facing a difficult and dangerous fight against terrorism. The IDF does everything in its power to maintain the highest possible moral standard, even under impossible conditions, and more than any other army in the world. This is true of its commanders, and of its soldiers. For that, we are very proud of them, and owe them all our support and appreciation.”

He added, “In the last weeks, I have visited too many families of fallen soldiers and victims of Palestinian terror. I am working to the best of my abilities to visit all these dear families – in Kochav HaShachar, Kfar Etzion, Jerusalem, and in Tel Aviv. People who have lost that most dear to them. The State of Israel has the duty to defend its people, and this is what the IDF and all our security services are doing. Our soldiers defend our country, and we will do everything to defend them, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photo: Kobi Gideon -GPO)