WarSclerotic

President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday hosted visiting journalists from the Christian media at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

The visit, within the framework of Israel’s 70th independence celebrations, is focusing on Israel’s achievements in innovation and cyber technology, and on the challenges Israel faces in the international arena and in the foreign press.

“Another extraordinary thing happened in Jerusalem this year,” Rivlin told his guests.

“Some 50 years after the city was liberated and united as the capital of Israel, and in the 70th anniversary of its [Israel’s] inception, the U.S. Embassy was moved to Jerusalem.

“Other embassies followed and we hope many more will join. For this we are extremely grateful to [U.S.] President Trump,” he said.

Discussing the situation in the Middle East, Rivlin said,  “These are difficult days in our region. The war in Syria is still ongoing, and Iran continues to spread hatred and radicalism here and across the globe.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the delegation that he favors appointing an Israeli envoy to the Christian world.

He welcomed the idea suggested by one journalist to appoint such an emissary as “a great idea.”

Netanyahu also promised to examine lifting the restrictions that prevent millions of Indonesian Christians from visiting Israel.