Rivlin hosts foreign diplomats ahead of Rosh Hashanah

President Reuven and First Lady Nechama Rivlin host foreign ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps based in Israel at a President’s Residence reception in honor of Rosh Hashanah, the upcoming Jewish New Year.

Rivlin welcomes the foreign diplomats and representatives of Israel’s Foreign Ministry and says, “The State of Israel was not established to be an island in a hostile sea. As set out in the Declaration of Independence, Israel strives for good relations with our neighbors and peace in the region. Our treaties, with Egypt and Jordan, stand as witness to this strong desire and show our willingness to make painful compromises, if there is a real chance for peace and security, and I believe there is a real chance for peace and security.”

Turning to the subject of Iran, Rivlin says the country “continues to threaten stability in the region and around the world.”
Iran’s backing of terror in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, he says, makes its nuclear ambitions “truly terrifying – not just for Israel, but for all.”

“It cannot be that with one flick of a pen,” Rivlin says, “Iran becomes a member of the club, and instead the world turns to single out the victim of Iran’s aggression. It cannot be that in one moment of diplomacy the reality is changed so completely. We know too well that real political change requires education, confidence building, and dialogue. None of which can happen overnight.”