Reuven Rivlin

Reuven “Ruvi” Rivlin – Life, Career, and Guiding Principles

Reuven Rivlin (born September 9, 1939) is an Israeli politician, jurist, and public figure who served as Israel’s 10th President (2014–2021). Discover his background, major roles—from Knesset Speaker to President—his views on democracy, national identity, and minority rights, and his influence on Israeli society.

Introduction

Reuven “Ruvi” Rivlin is one of Israel’s most prominent statesmen of the early 21st century. A veteran of the Likud party, he held high posts including Minister of Communications and Speaker of the Knesset before being elected President of Israel in 2014, a position he held until 2021. More than a ceremonial figure, Rivlin strove to use his presidency to promote democratic values, national cohesion, and respect for minority rights. His tenure was marked by navigating Israel through political fragmentation, social tensions, and challenging debates about identity, pluralism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Early Life, Family & Education

Reuven Rivlin was born on September 9, 1939 in Jerusalem, then under the British Mandate of Palestine.

His father, Yosef Yoel Rivlin, was a scholar of Arabic literature and translated works, including the first Hebrew edition of the Quran.

Rivlin attended Gymnasia Rehavia high school in Jerusalem. law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, earning an LL.B. and becoming a certified attorney.

During his youth, Rivlin served in the Intelligence Corps of the Israel Defense Forces.

Before his full immersion in politics, Rivlin held several civic roles:

• Legal advisor and board member in Beitar Jerusalem Sports Association (and later its chairman)

• Member of the Jerusalem City Council

• Member of the executive board of El Al Airlines

• Board member roles at the Israel Museum, Khan Theater, and other civic-cultural institutions

He is known to have been a vegetarian since the late 1960s and is fluent in Hebrew and Arabic.

On the personal side, Rivlin married Nechama Shulman (Rivlin) in 1971. They had four children.

Political Career

Early Knesset Years & Likud Roles

Rivlin’s formal political journey began at the local level and steadily progressed to national prominence:

• In 1978, he was elected to the Jerusalem City Council.

• He entered national politics and was first elected to the Knesset in 1988, representing the Likud party.

• From 1988 to 1993, Rivlin served as Chairman of the Likud.

• He lost his Knesset seat in the 1992 election but returned in 1996 and continued to serve in successive Knesset sessions.

Minister of Communications & Knesset Speaker

• Under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Rivlin was appointed Minister of Communications from March 2001 to February 2003.

• In 2003, he was elected Speaker of the Knesset, serving in that role from 2003 to 2006.

• He regained the Knesset speakership in 2009 and held it until 2013.

During his tenure as Speaker, Rivlin sometimes drew criticism for downplaying the customary neutrality of the role by voicing political stances.

Presidency (2014–2021)

• On June 10, 2014, Rivlin was elected the 10th President of Israel by the Knesset. He officially assumed office on July 24, 2014.

• He served until July 7, 2021, when Isaac Herzog succeeded him.

Although the Israeli presidency is largely ceremonial, Rivlin used the position as a moral and symbolic platform—seeking to strengthen social cohesion, civic discourse, and national values.

During multiple political deadlocks (notably multiple inconclusive elections between 2019–2021), Rivlin played the constitutionally mandated role of tasking party leaders to form governments, making him central to Israel’s political process in turbulent times.

Principles, Views & Public Stances

Reuven Rivlin’s public philosophy often centered on three core themes: democracy & minority rights, Jewish national identity, and integration/partnership across communities.

Democracy & Minority Rights

• Rivlin was a vocal defender of minority rights, particularly those of Arab citizens of Israel. He supported protections for parliamentary representation and civil liberties.

• As Speaker, he visited Umm al-Fahm (an Arab-majority city in Israel) in his first official act as Speaker—signaling his commitment to inclusivity.

• On one occasion, he declined to remove MK Haneen Zoabi (an Arab MK) who had joined the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, citing her parliamentary rights.

• He strongly condemned racist violence and Jewish extremist attacks on Palestinians and urged accountability.

• He uttered a poignant remark about the condition of society: “Israeli society is sick; it is our duty to treat this disease.”

Views on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict & National Identity

• Rivlin opposed a purely two-state solution in its conventional form. Instead, he often advocated a one-state partnership model, in which Palestinians in the West Bank / Gaza would have citizenship rights within Israel’s polity.

• He spoke in favor of Israel’s settlements in the West Bank, stating that they are “as Israeli as Tel Aviv.”

• He resisted calls to demarcate the lines between Israel and the territories as separate sovereign entities and questioned the feasibility of separation without undermining democratic integrity.

• Rivlin believed Israel’s fight is not against Palestinians or Islam, but against terrorism and violence.

Jewish Pluralism & Religious Debate

• Rivlin’s views on religious pluralism were fraught with tension. He had historically criticized Non-Orthodox (Reform / Conservative) Judaism, once calling Reform prayers “idol worship”—a position which later drew criticism as too rigid.

• After becoming President, Rivlin attempted to bridge divides by inviting Reform and Conservative leaders to the presidential residence and emphasizing that all Jews, everywhere, are part of the same family.

• He also commented that if non-Orthodox conversion standards gained legal status, then Jewish identity could shift toward a “civic definition” rather than strictly religious one.

Other Public Positions & Controversies

• Rivlin urged Israeli society to confront racism, including anti-Arab sentiment, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and Jewish extremism.

• In 2015, after a Palestinian toddler died in a firebombing attack by Jewish extremists, Rivlin condemned the act and labeled it as terrorism, drawing backlash and threats.

• In 2017, he made a bold speech chastising efforts to weaken Israel’s judiciary. He warned against public campaigns to undermine judicial authority, calling such attempts dangerous to democracy.

Legacy & Influence

Reuven Rivlin’s legacy is multifaceted. While he was never a transformational head of government, he left a mark as a moral president and advocate for democratic values.

• Bridge-building across divides: His presidency is remembered for efforts to reach out across Israeli society—Jewish and Arab, secular and religious—and attempt to heal polarization.

• Defender of democratic institutions: He repeatedly spoke against abuses of power, judicial undermining, and populist rhetoric that threatened institutional balance.

• Champion of minority rights: His vocal support for Arab Israelis and critical stance toward racism earned him respect from many in minority communities.

• Intellectual nationalism: Rivlin combined strong commitment to Israel’s Jewish identity with the view that that identity must include dignity for all citizens.

• Steward during crisis: His presidency coincided with political stalemates, rising divisions, and regional tension. His role in guiding government formation and preserving stability was crucial.

He remains a significant reference point in debates over Israel’s identity, democracy, and the balance between Jewish sovereignty and minority inclusion.

Selected Quotes & Reflections

Here are some of Rivlin’s more striking public statements:

“One who is afraid of votes in a ballot box will eventually see stones thrown in the streets.” “Israeli society is sick; it is our duty to treat this disease.” “West Bank settlements are as Israeli as Tel Aviv.” On minority rights: “We are exactly the same.” (in a video promoting empathy between Jewish and Arab youth)

These lines reflect the contradictions and tensions in his worldview: a staunch Zionist who also emphasized inclusion, a nationalist who warned against internal extremism.

Conclusion

Reuven Rivlin’s life and career offer a portrait of a committed public servant navigating Israel’s evolving identity, democratic challenges, and societal divisions. As President, he elevated moral voice over executive power, striving to use his office to reaffirm the country’s democratic foundations and pluralistic aspirations. His blend of nationalism and empathy, institutional vigilance, and outreach to minorities mark him as a pivotal figure in Israel’s recent political history.