Itongadol.- The president visits bereaved families of soldiers who fell in Gaza on his first day in new role.
President Reuven Rivlin did not give himself time to adjust to his new role, but instantly plunged into presidential duties taking over where his predecessor President Shimon Peres left off.
During his last days in office, Peres made a point of visiting bereaved families of soldiers who fell in battle in Gaza, and Rivlin began doing the same on Friday morning following his inauguration on Thursday night.
Rivlin who at the outset of his inauguration address had sent wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded and had identified with the grief of families and friends of those who lost their lives in defense of the nation, made it clear to Israel’s enemies that they had not broken Israel’s spirit. “By gathering here, today, we are declaring our determination to continue to defend the operation of our democratic institutions and the character of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, even in a period of emergency, war and terrorism,” he declared.
Rivlin traveled north from his home in Jerusalem to the family of 2nd Lt. Bar Rahav in Ramat Yishai. From there he continued to the family of St.Sgt.Oren Simcha Noach in Hoshaya, then to Sde Atzmon to the family of St. Sgt.Oz Mendelovich and lastly for the day to Nahariya to the family of Sgt. Adar Barsano.
Rivlin is a much more emotionally expressive person than Peres and more visibly sensitive. Dealing with so much grief in such a short time was a massive toll on him.