Rivlin visits southern town amid rocket barrage

President Reuven Rivlin makes a solidarity visit to the southern town of Netivot amid a massive flareup of violence that has seen hundreds of rockets fired at Israeli communities adjacent to the Gaza border.

The president tells a group of residents gathered in a bomb shelter that all of Israel is standing behind them.

עוטף עזה הוא עוטף ישראל כולה, וכשהאזעקות מייללות כאן בדרום הן מהדהדות גם בלב שלנו בירושלים, בתל אביב ובכל מקום בארץ. הגעתי היום לחבק אתכם, התושבים, ולבקש בכל לשון של בקשה – השמרו לנפשותיכם והשמעו להוראות פיקוד העורף. pic.twitter.com/SC0L5eyotD

— ראובן (רובי) ריבלין (@ruvirivlin) November 13, 2018

“I have said in the past and I will continue to say, the area around Gaza is the whole of Israel. When the sirens are screaming here, we hear them in our hearts in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and all over the country,” he says according to a statement. “Your strength gives us all strength.”

Rivlin also urges residents to obey instructions and not take unnecessary risks.

“Forget about taking photos,” the president says. “I ask all citizens of Israel and particularly those in this area to take good care of themselves and to follow the orders of the IDF.”