A CNN interview with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin this week shed light on a variety of sensitive topics, including the fate of hostages in the Middle East, the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, and the President’s criticism of an Irish Prime Minister’s tweet.
In his CNN interview, President Rivlin discussed the situation of Israeli hostages held captive in the Middle East, saying that the government is determined to bring them home. He noted that Israel will not make “deals with terrorists,” but instead currently relies on back channels and mediation to free the captives.
When asked about a potential ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, the President said the whole region should aim to achieve a “durable and sustainable ceasefire,” though he expressed concern that even if this were to be achieved, it would not last long without “deep changes” on the ground.
The President did not fail to take a moment to criticize Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar’s recent tweet implying that Israel had been “the aggressor” in its battle with Hamas. He said Varadkar was being “very unfair” with his biased statement, stressing the “one-sided narrative” which Varadkar put forth in his tweet.
While President Rivlin remained largely diplomatic in responding to the questions posed, it served as a reminder of the contentious issues faced not only by Israelis and Palestinians, but by many of the parties involved in the region.
