Rivlin: Israel a regional ‘beacon of democracy’
Hosting Independence Day celebrations for first time, president calls on foreign diplomats to cooperate in war against extremism
Speaking to foreign diplomats serving in Israel, President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday called Israel a beacon of democracy in a pained region, and stressed the importance of taking a firm stand against the possibility of a nuclear Iran.
The president welcomed the foreign envoys at his official Jerusalem residence for a celebratory reception in honor of Israel’s 67th Independence Day.
Stressing the mutual challenges the international community faces, Rivlin told the visitors the “family of nations” must overcome extremist groups spreading hatred and spilling innocent blood. “We all face many similar challenges: the rise of fundamentalist groups bringing death and destruction, spreading hatred and spilling innocent blood.”
“Israel is a beacon of democracy in a pained region. In the Middle East today, we see women, men and children on the front lines in a fight for their basic rights, giving their lives for the sake of freedom. It is my hope and prayer that in our time, those who are fighting against fundamentalism will also taste liberty and freedom.”
Rivlin also discussed the Iranian nuclear program, which he warned is “a threat to Israel, as it is to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, France, Denmark — to all of us. In the face of these and other challenges, Israel cannot, should not, and does not, stand alone.”
Guests watched a flypast of military helicopters and Rivlin, elected in June 2014 to a seven-year term, awarded medals of excellence to 120 selected soldiers.
Independence celebrations began at nightfall on Wednesday with an official torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem and public festivities and firework displays around the country.
Many Israelis flocked to barbecues and visited national parks and nature reserves in what has become a tradition on the public holiday, despite strong winds and showers in much of the country.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the occasion to call on Jews from around the world to move to Israel.
“It is completely clear that this is home,” the Israeli leader said during an annual international bible quiz.
“We don’t dismiss the obligation of various governments around the world to take care of the security of their Jewish citizens, but we say to the Jews of the world: ‘This is home… we are awaiting you with open arms’.”
But thousands of Arab Israelis, many waving Palestinian flags, gathered Thursday in the Galilee for a protest march timed to coincide with the Israeli celebrations.
It centered on the ruins of El Hadetheh, near Tiberias, one of nearly 400 Palestinian villages destroyed in the war that erupted after Israel’s founding.
“Our grandfathers who suffered displacement asked us not to sell our land and to return to it and not give up,” activist Hammad Abu al-Haija told the crowd. “Now we tell our children our children and our grandchildren not to do so,” he said.