Rivlin says ‘silence not an option’ on Syria

President Reuven Rivlin says he’s “proud” of the Israeli humanitarian assistance to Syrians, but says the international community and Israel must do more to help civilians.

“In these times, silence is not an option. I believe the international community — the whole free world — must act to help the innocent, the civilians, men, women, and the children,” he says.

“While we have never been able to reach peace with Syria, we see the pictures and hear the voices of the people suffering, and as Israelis of all faiths, we feel the duty to try to help, and to speak out. I am proud of the humanitarian aid and medical help many Israelis are giving to the people of Syria. I know sadly, that it is a drop in the ocean. But, dear friends, silence, and doing nothing cannot be an option. We must speak, we must act, we must pray,” says the president.

Rivlin also condemns the “wrong” UN Security Council resolution against settlements, which was passed on Friday.

“Time and again, we have held out our hand in peace, and called for direct negotiations, without pre-conditions, and without any delay. The decision to take Israel to the UN Security Council, was wrong in trying to force pre-conditions, but also in the way it was done. The international community’s, most important job in helping us solve the conflict, is to build trust between the sides… The Security Council vote, was a blow to
peace, and it was a blow to trust.”