Rivlin at Waze offices
Photo: Viktor Levy
President Rivlin to direct drivers for Independence Day
Israel's president becomes an alternative voice for navigation and directions on the popular Israeli app Waze, in celebration of Israel's 70th Independence Day; the option to have the president navigate you will say for only a week.
Waze has prepared a surprise for users of the world's popular navigation application and—in celebration of Israel's 70th Independence Day—called up President Reuven Rivlin to lend his voice for the app's navigation and directions.
The president was recorded during a visit to the Israeli company's headquarters in Tel Aviv, where he met with the CEO of the company, Noam Bardin, and with the company's operations manager, Guy Berkowitz.
President Rivlin with Waze employees (Photo: Viktor Levy)
Who wouldn't want to reach a hazard on the road and hear, "Oy vey Zmir, a hazard reported up ahead," or, "An object was spotted on the road ahead of you, I will immediately notify the Minister of Transportation."
At the end of the drive, Rivlin even tells the driver, "You have reached your destination, Happy Independence Day."
"Every technological solution that helps Israeli citizens set out on the beautiful paths of our country and discover new, attractive places makes me happy," Rivlin said in a video announcing the festive initiative.
"The most exciting projects in my eyes are those that bring together the groundbreaking Israeli innovation with our tiny country, where behind every path lies a story," he prided. "I hope that we will help each citizen reach his or her Independence Day celebration joyously and, above all, cautiously."
Waze announces President Rivlin to narrate directions (צילום: יח"צ)
Berkowitz thanked Rivlin, saying he was honored to have him and whished the Israeli people a happy Independence Day.
If you wish to receive the navigation instructions from the President, go to the settings in the application and from there to the voice settings in Hebrew, where you can find among the various options the "Honorable President".
His narration will be available starting Thursday, Independence Day, and only for one week.
