Rivlin apologizes to Peres for criticism that crossed ‘red lines’

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, Rivlin apologizes to Peres for criticism of his policies that may have crossed “red lines.”

“Shimon, I unashamedly confess, on the eve of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, at your graveside among the graves of the leaders of our nation, also your forgiveness must be asked. We will ask your forgiveness. It was permitted to disagree with you. Your opponents had a duty to express their opinion.

“However, there were years in which red lines were crossed between ideological disputes and words and deeds which had no place. You always acted according to what you believed with all you heart was best for the people, whom you served.”

“As president, you were for us an honest advocate. You taught many around the world to love the State of Israel, and you taught us to love ourselves, not to speak ill, and see the good and the beautiful in everything.”

Peres’s death seals a chapter in Israel’s history, says Rivlin.

“Your death is a great personal and national loss, as it is also the end on an era, the end of the era of giants whose lives’ stories are the stories of the Zionist movement and the State of Israel. This is our profound feeling today. A feeling of the end of an era in the nation’s life, the end of a chapter in our lives,” he says.

“Our farewell to you is also a farewell to us from ourselves. When we see world leaders — our friends from near and far — who have come here to bid you their final respects, we understand that not only here but across the world you will be missed. And all of us already miss you.”