In an interview with Israel’s Channel 10 News, former Knesset Speaker (Likud) Reuven Rivlin blames Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and “another person” for ousting him from his post.

He explained “It appears to me that only three people did not want me in the position, [Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor] Lieberman for his own reasons, the prime minister, and a third person – who always remains at the center of things but it appears from behind the scenes.”

Rivlin refused to respond to the question posed by Raviv Drucker, who asked if that third person was the prime minister’s wife despite reports that she exerted her influence to oust him from the post.

According to Rivlin, the prime minister promised him on a number of occasions that he would continue in the post. “When I would phone the prime minister to express my fears he told me numerous times ‘I have to promise you?’ When his friends visited me they said ‘who else would he select? Do you think the party would betray you?’”

Rivlin continued, “Truth be said, I believed them. My friend Bibi, who I know since his childhood. He even told my wife ‘I only rely upon Ruby Rivlin. I only rely upon your husband.’

CHANNEL 10:

Who is behind the move to oust you, Sara Netanyahu?

RIVLIN:

Netanyahu did not say I was ousted for preventing Likud bills from reaching the Knesset agenda at time; for in fact he told me numerous times that I saved him. What is even more painful than being ousted is the fact that party colleagues did not utter a word, simply accepting the decree, preferring not to stand up for me.

Edelstein was elected as Knesset speaker with 96 votes, without opposition. Eight MKs abstained.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)