President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday evening 21 Iyar was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Hebrew University at a convocation ceremony held at the University’s Mt. Scopus campus in Jerusalem.

The President addressed the event and said, “I am excited and honored to stand here today, in the amphitheater of the Hebrew University, on Mount Scopus, in Jerusalem, my city, my homeland, and be counted as a member of this esteemed group of honorary doctorate recipients. For many years, Hebrew University was a real home for me. As a child, I remember my father – may he rest in peace – Professor Yosef Yoel Rivlin, was a member of the Oriental Studies Faculty in the nascent university. When I grew up and had completed my military service, I acquired my law degree from Hebrew University,” the President said and added, “The University was my ‘Alma Mater’, a maternal institution, and also, by virtue of my father’s work, a paternal institution. Many years have gone by and today the Hebrew University is a beacon of Israeli excellence whose light radiates to all corners of the globe.”

The President added, “Through the uncompromising pursuit of the truth and the deepening of knowledge, the university is an essential component, a strategic component, of the national strength of the State of Israel. Without that uncompromising commitment for the truth, it is doubtful whether we would have reached the achievements we have reached. Academia rightfully demands academic freedom in order for it to achieve its goal, but the commitment to truth also demands responsibility. The great lovers of truth need to stand as a bulwark, and not favor any person or authority.”

The President spoke of the importance of academia in the bringing together of the different communities in Israel, and said, “The search for truth cannot be taken for granted. It requires education, sacrifice, internal strength and integrity. Within a polarized Israeli society, with separate education systems, academia is the educational place whereby first meetings occur between the four Israeli tribes; secular, chareidim, religious, Arab. This is the reason why academia has such an essential role in shaping the future of Israeli society. I especially admire the Hebrew University, which takes care to view the value within the composition of society – and in particular the growth of the chareidi public and Arab society in Israel – as an opportunity to enrich academic excellence, and not as a threat to excellence. I thank the Hebrew University and its directors, for taking the lead in building a joint and equal Israel, for which we yearn today, from within the academic world, and for looking at society as a whole. We still have a lot of shared work ahead of us in promoting this topic, where the challenges of Israeli society converge with the love of truth.”

The President concluded by commenting on the current political events and said “The truth is vital for our soundness as a society and nation, but no less essential is trust. Despite the political pitfalls, striving to expand the government is correct and justified. Even if it there are objections, the last elections show that the Israeli public has made its choice. I hope and believe that the government will act cautiously, responsibly, and with consideration for the benefit of all the citizens of Israel. A national ethical vision, a public consciousness to serve, striving to realize the public interest, and above all an internal and public truth; these are the conditions without which the public may lose confidence not only in its elected officials, but in democracy itself. The public trust is our truth, and it is to them that we must be devoted.”

Also addressing the event was President of the Hebrew University, Menachem Ben Sasson.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom, GPO)