President Reuven Rivlin, the 1st Israeli President to visit Hebron in 17 years, gives way for dozens of left-wing activists to protest his official visit and his attendance at the inauguration of Jewish Heritage Museum’s new visitors center.
During Rivlin’s visit, dozens of Meretz party activists protested against the president’s visit and the opening of the new visitors center. At one point, there was an altercation between the activists and local Jewish residents.
In his speech at Kiryat Arba, Rivlin said, “We are allowed to disagree, but we must not disrespect each other, whether we are on the Right or on the Left.”
From there, Rivlin continued to Hebron, the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and the visitors center’s inaugural ceremony with Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau.
“The museum tells a 3,800-year story,” Rivlin said. “Even those who have different opinions regarding the presence of the Jewish community in Hebron cannot deny the deep connection of the Jewish people to the city.”