Rivlin
Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO
President Rivlin to be admitted for pacemaker transplant
President Reuven Rivlin is due to undergo the procedure without sedation, and no change is expected in his ability to fill the position; responding to the deadly violence that erupted earlier Wednesday during an evacuation of illegal Bedouin homes, Rivlin says that 'We must all work together and do all that we can to calm people down, in both words and actions.'
President Reuven Rivlin will undergo a heart pacemaker transplant. He will be admitted to the hospital for 24 hours for the procedure. The President's House issued a statement, saying that no change is expected in his ability to fill the position.
Rivlin's doctors had noticed an irregularity with his pacemaker of late, which had prompted the procedure. The president will undergo it without sedation and is expected to return to the President's Residence after a short hospital admittance.
Rivlin (seated, right) with the Indonesian delegation (Photo: Mark Neiman, GPO)
Rivlin met with a delegation of Indonesian leaders on Wednesday as part of an Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) initiative—Israel Australia does not have official diplomatic relations with the South Asian country.
President Reuven Rivlin also commented on the violence that erupted between police and locals in the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran in southern Israel on Wednesday. "We are in the midst of a terrible event where a police officer was murdered, Sgt. Maj. Erez Levi, by a terrorist in a heinous act. In this difficult hour, our hearts are with the grieving family, as we pray for the quick recovery of the injured police officers," he said.
“We must clearly differentiate between a serious terror attack and enforcing the law of demolishing illegal buildings. I turn to the Israeli leadership, and especially Arab leaders: This is a difficult hour through which we have to work together and do all in our power to calm the mood,” added Rivlin.
"I call on the Israeli leadership in general and Arab leadership in particular: these are difficult and stressful times, and we must all work together and do all that we can to calm people down, in both words and actions." He concluded by saying that "We must address reality and draft a solution to this pressing national, social and civil issue, before it is too late."
