Posted on 07/07/21
| News Source: i24
Reuven Rivlin officially finishes seven-year term in office as Herzog assumes largely ceremonial position
Isaac Herzog will take office as president of Israel on Wednesday after holding several ceremonies in which he will participate with outgoing President Reuven Rivlin.
The day will begin with the official unveiling of Rivlin's bust in the Garden of Statues of the president's official residence in Jerusalem.
The sculpture was erected on Monday alongside those of Rivlin's predecessors, two days before he finished his seven-year term.
On a plaque under Rivlin's bust is inscribed a quote from him: "Without the ability to listen, there is no ability to learn. Without the ability to learn, there is no ability to repair."
Rivlin was extremely popular during his tenure, his determination to represent the broad spectrum of Israeli communities and his compassion resonating with public opinion.
In the afternoon, Herzog will be sworn in at the Knesset (Israel Parliament) before an official welcoming ceremony at the residence, at the end of which Rivlin will leave for good.
Herzog, former chairman of the Jewish Agency and former leader of the Labor Party, won more votes in the Knesset in the early June elections than any presidential candidate in the country's history.
On Tuesday evening, Herzog went to pray at the Kotel with his wife, Michal, saying that "here, from this place, there is nothing more appropriate than to call for unity among our people, true love for Israel."
He added: "I hope in every way and by every means, that I can exercise my authority and status as the 11th president of Israel, to make every contribution to our unity, a significant contribution to calming the spirits and strengthening the vision of the love of Israel. It is certainly possible."