Rivlin: Palestinian leadership must stop the next terror attack
During Iftar meal hosted at the President's Residence, Rivlin stresses 'we as leaders must not ignore the vitriolic and murderous incitement, not one of us can remain silent or fail to speak unequivocally.'
"The Palestinian leadership has a responsibility to stop the next murderer. One who does not stop the terror that attacks us today, will find it at their own door," the president said during a traditional Iftar meal, which marks the breaking of the day's Ramadan fast.
Rivlin leveled harsh criticism at the Palestinian leadership, saying "I have just returned from the home of Hallel Yaffa Ariel, a beloved girl, just 13 years old, murdered in cold blood in her room, in her bed, and my heart breaks. Earlier today, I took part in the funeral for Michael Mark. It cannot be that the Palestinian leadership and society encourage or stand idly by in the face of such brutal and criminal terrorism. In these blood soaked days, not only have we not heard the voices of the Palestinian leadership in any form, worse still, we have heard voices that give succor and support to the murderers and their families."
The president stressed that "we as leaders must not ignore the vitriolic and murderous incitement, not one of us can remain silent or fail to speak unequivocally."
The Iftar meal, hosted at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, was attended by leading members of the Muslim community in Israel, including members of the diplomatic community, religious leaders, and senior Israeli officials. Also attending were the Ambassadors to Israel of Jordan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and the Turkish Charge d'Affaires, as well as members of Israel national under-21 football team—some of whom are Muslims.
The president also spoke of the significance of Ramadan, saying "it is the month of patience and tolerance, a month of sensitivity to others, to the plights of the poor and the weak. It is a month of good neighborliness. You sitting here today, portray every day through your actions and words the values of this month."
He went on to say that while "the public spirit and at times the political discourse can leave a feeling of despair, of alienation and distance, of a rift, on the ground we see things differently," and mentioned, among other things, the economic plan for the development of the Arab sector and the advancements of Arab society in education and academia as positive signs.
"Football players and fans are acting decisively to keep healthy competition in sport, without violence and racism, while leaders of Arab and Jewish local authorities are promoting regional projects together for the general welfare of all their residents," he said.
Rivlin stressed that "even in hard times—precisely in difficult times—we must stand side by side. We must continue to courageously pave a joint path, to lay each tile for us, for our children, for the sake of their children. We have no other option. We do not want and are not prepared to give up our future; a future of partnership, of understanding, of mutual respect, of living in peace."
