Rivlin backs Melcer, Mandelblit in face of ‘baseless, irresponsible attacks’

President Reuven Rivlin issues a remarkably strongly worded statement after the cabinet approves a bill to equip party representatives with cameras at polling stations.

“I support the members of the Central Elections Committee led by Supreme Court Deputy Chief Justice Hanan Melcer and Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in the face of baseless and irresponsible political attacks they are experiencing,” he says.

“I reject with disgust the attempts to erode public trust in these bodies and institutions.”

Melcer and Mandelblit have been under attack from the right for their opposition to the bill, which they have warned could undermine the fairness and legitimacy of the September 17 election.

President Reuven Rivlin speaks at the opening night of the Jerusalem Film Festival in Jerusalem on July 25, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

“We must not defame the best of our public servants, who defend Israeli democracy and safeguard as much as possible the integrity of the elections.”