Rivlin to incoming council heads: Not denouncing terrorism ‘unacceptable’

10 December 2018, 2:32 pm

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President Reuven Rivlin tells the incoming heads of local councils it’s unacceptable for elected officials not to denounce terrorism.

At a welcome reception at his Jerusalem residence, Rivlin says: “We expect every public official in Israel, in the local or national arena, to be unequivocal in expressing zero tolerance for terrorism.”

“It’s inconceivable that elected officials in Israel would express support for terrorism and terrorist organizations,” he says.

Rivlin is referring to Raja Za’atara, the incoming deputy mayor of Haifa, who has sparked outrage for voicing support for Hamas and Hezbollah. Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Haifa Mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem to cancel his appointment.