BICOM

On his first official visit to the United States in office, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin met United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York yesterday.

Rivlin took the opportunity to thank Ban “for his unwavering commitment to the fight against anti-Semitism” and added, “Anti-Semitism effects all of humanity, and it is my hope you will continue to lead the UN’s fight against it.” Last week, Ban told a special UN General Assembly session that “Grievances about Israeli actions must never be used as an excuse to attack Jews.” Rivlin is scheduled to address a UN session to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day during his trip.

Rivlin also thanked Ban for his efforts to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians. However, he criticised the recent announcement by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that it would launch a preliminary investigation into war crimes accusations surrounding last summer’s Operation Protective Edge. Rivlin commented, “Our soldiers are our children, and I have no doubt that we know how to investigate every event which took place during a conflict that was forced upon us.”

Meanwhile, Ban’s office said that he and Rivlin discussed “the importance for the parties to create the conditions conducive to a resumption of meaningful Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.” They also addressed “the heightened tensions in Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem,” while Ban praised Rivlin for his “commitment to promote calm and his clear voice of moderation.” Rivlin has been quick to condemn so-called “Price Tag” attacks targeting Arab property and has repeatedly promoted Jewish-Arab coexistence.

On Sunday, President Rivlin addressed African-American leaders and told them he dreams that Jerusalem “will serve as an example of coexistence between different religions and communities. Jews and Arabs are not doomed to live together, we are destined to live together.”