Reuven 'Ruvi' Rivlin is an Israeli politician, lawyer, and former President of Israel who served as the 10th President from 2014 to 2021. Born on September 9, 1939, in Jerusalem during the British Mandate period, he hails from a distinguished family with deep roots in Jewish scholarship; his father, Yosef Yoel Rivlin, was a noted rabbi and biblical scholar, and his grandfather was also a rabbi. A lifelong member of the Likud party, Rivlin began his political career in the 1970s, entering the Knesset in 1988 after earlier roles in party leadership and sports administration, including as chairman of the Beitar Jerusalem Football Club. He held several key positions, including Minister of Communications from 2001 to 2003, and served as Speaker of the Knesset from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2009 to 2013, where he was known for upholding parliamentary traditions and fostering bipartisanship. Elected President on June 10, 2014, Rivlin's tenure focused on promoting national unity amid Israel's polarized political landscape. He advocated for dialogue between Jewish and Arab citizens, engaged with Palestinian leaders, and emphasized the integration of Israel's diverse communities. Despite his Likud affiliation, Rivlin often took moderate stances, criticizing extremism on both sides and supporting a two-state solution in principle. His presidency included ceremonial duties such as hosting state visits and awarding honors, but he also intervened in political crises, such as tasking party leaders with forming governments. Rivlin's term ended on July 7, 2021, after which he retired from public office, though he remains an influential voice in Israeli discourse, respected for his integrity and commitment to democratic values. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his legal background and public service, but has also faced controversies, including criticism from hardline Likud members for his outreach to Palestinians and his opposition to certain settlement policies. No major legal issues or scandals have marred his record, and he is generally viewed as a stabilizing figure in Israeli politics.