President Reuven Rivlin tweeted on Tuesday, apologizing again for breaking the Health Ministry’s regulations instructing Israeli citizens to only celebrate the Passover Seder with one’s nuclear family.Kan News reported that Rivlin’s daughter was staying at the President’s Residence from the day before the Seder, until the end of the holiday.In his tweet he wrote that he understands the public’s outrage following his violating Health Ministry orders and hosting his daughter and her family for Passover, and he is finishing the holiday “differently.”The tweet was accompanied by a picture of Rivlin and his family talking over Zoom, a popular video chatting platform.
The public was also upset that Rivlin’s daughter was able to be tested for coronavirus, as many Israelis’ requests to be checked have either been denied or gone unanswered.In Rivlin’s first apology on Friday he said, “Since Nehama passed away, my children have been assisting me a lot in my personal business, as well being my contacts in work-related needs during the holidays and weekends when my office is not staffed,” he explained. “I understand that if people do not understand the agenda of a president, it is difficult to understand this and I am sorry for that.”The President’s Residence spokespeople explained that since Rivlin’s wife, Nehama, passed away, “one member of Rivlin’s family has been at his side regularly so as to assist him in his personal needs and to allow him to be in contact in the framework of his position.”Maariv and Tamar Beeri contributed to this article.
I was wondering whether to write again before the Chag. Sometimes, it is better to speak out and accept the anger face-on. You were angry with me this week about a wrong decision I made and had no justification. This time, I am doing things differently. Chag Sameach, the Rivlins pic.twitter.com/O4A3MOstO6
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) April 14, 2020