Israel would not “stand by” in the face of Hamas attacks, President Reuven Rivlin tells Pope Francis in a meeting today at the Vatican between the two leaders.
“Israel does not want escalation or to hurt innocent civilians, but will not stand by while Hamas undermines stability and our civilians are harmed,” Rivlin says, according to a press statement from his office.
He also praises Francis’ condemnation of anti-Semitism, saying, “Your absolute condemnation of acts of anti-Semitism and your definition of such acts as anti-Christian are a significant step in the ongoing fight to stamp it out.”
It is Rivlin’s second meeting with the pope. The two met in 2015 at Francis’ invitation.
Rivlin and wife Nechama reviewed the Pontifical Swiss Guard before meeting Francis at the Apostolic Palace.
Rivlin also tells the Catholic leader Israel “has full freedom of worship for all religions in all holy places.”
President Reuven Rivlin, left, and Pope Francis meet at the Vatican, November 15, 2018. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, November 15, 2018
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