Reuven Rivlin Elected President of Israel Tuesday June 10,2014

Israel’s parliament on Tuesday June 10,2014 chose Reuven Rivlin Who defeated Meir Sheetrit 63 to 53, in a secret runoff ballot. Three other candidates were eliminated in a first round of voting in the 120-member parliament
Reuven Rivlin, a former speaker of parliament, gestures during his speech after he was elected Israel's president at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem June 10, 2014.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (right) congratulated Reuven Rivlin on his election on Tuesday June 10,2014

About Reuven Rivlin

• Born in 1939 in Jerusalem
• Trained as a lawyer
• First elected to the Knesset (parliament) in 1988
• Former chairman of Betar Jerusalem sports association and loyal supporter of their football team
• Served as minister of communications under then PM Ariel Sharon between 2001 and 2003
• Elected Knesset Speaker in 2003 in an uncontested victory