Rivlin a ‘hero’ of 2014, Guardian says

The British daily The Guardian included Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin in its annual list of “heroes” of the year for 2014, calling him “Israel’s conscience.”

Known for its left-wing stance and harsh criticism of Israeli foreign policy, The Guardian’s praise of Rivlin came as something of a surprise given his longstanding affiliation with the political right. Still, the paper didn’t spare Israel its criticism in praising Rivlin.

The paper applauded the lifelong politician for “standing up for the civil rights of Palestinians” and condemning “surging bigotry” in the Jewish state, hailing him an “unlikely hero.”

“Rivlin’s office may be ceremonial; his stand is anything but,” the article added.

The daily referenced a 2014 Rosh Hashanah video in which Rivlin appeared beside an Arab Israeli boy from Jaffa as part of an anti-bullying campaign.

In the video, filmed in the wake of the summer’s war in Gaza, Rivlin was seen holding up placards in condemnation of perceived intolerance and racism in Israeli society.

His tenure has been marked by conciliation efforts with Israel’s Arab minority and vehement opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “Jewish state” bill.

Other “heroes” in the list include Pope Francis and the anarchist English comedian Russell Brand.

First elected to the Knesset as a member of Likud in 1988, Rivlin succeeded Shimon Peres in July 2014 to the largely ceremonial role as Israel’s president, winning votes from Arab legislators as well as right-wing MKs such as Naftali Bennett and Danny Danon.