War Scales Back Ceremonies for Inauguration of President Rivlin

Knesset Speak Yuli Edelstein has rejected the idea of postponing the inauguration of Reuven Rivlin as President of Israel on Thursday but is scaling back the ceremonies due to the war.

Rivlin will replace Shimon Peres, whose seven-year term was highlighted by his constant claim that Israel has a peace partner in the Palestinian Authority.

He supported the expulsion of Jews and the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza in 2005. Shortly afterwards, when Hamas began attacking southern Israel, he said he simply could not understand why the terrorist regime should do such a thing since Israel had vacated Gaza.