Rivlin thanks global Jewry for standing ‘side by side with Israel’

President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday thanked global Jewry for standing by Israel in a video message for the Jewish state’s 73rd Independence Day.

“I want to thank all of you for all that you do for Israel and the Jewish people. For being side by side with Israel, for defending Israel, for defending Zionism and the Jewish people,” Rivlin said.

“We must remember that we are one, strong, big and diverse family. We have a shared destiny. A new Israeli and Jewish Hope must be based on unity and diversity, on mutual understanding and shared experiences,” he added.

Israel made the abrupt annual transition from mourning to jubilation on Wednesday night, as Memorial Day drew to a close and its 73rd Independence Day began.

The Independence Day statement was Rivlin’s last as president, as his tenure ends in the coming summer.

The president, a largely symbolic figure, is elected by Knesset members once every seven years.