Employees allege Rivlin was abusive and bullying as president

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Employees at the president’s official residence in Jerusalem claimed former president Reuven Rivlin was a bullying boss who bullied workers, bringing some to tears, Channel 12 reported on Saturday.

The jovial Rivlin, who was well-liked by many in Israel, apologized for any offense he may have caused, but also criticized that the complaints were anonymous and unofficial. A spokesman for President Isaac Herzog, who also served under Rivlin, flatly rejected those claims.

Rivlin took office in July 2014 at the age of 75 and served until July 2021. He began his term as the country was at war in the Gaza Strip and, during his seven years, oversaw an unprecedented run of four national elections in two years. He also suffered the loss of his wife, Nechama, in 2019.

Channel 12 reported that it spoke with more than ten workers who painted a portrait of a brusque, hot-tempered man, whose true nature clashed with the “cuddly grandfather” persona seen in public.

“We received such egregious, repulsive and disgusting treatment,” said one worker. “We were just waiting for the seven years to be up. It’s sad that I have to say these things, he’s a man who held the highest position in the land. It’s sad. I’m ashamed of it.

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Another employee, described as a “veteran” at the residence, told the network that Rivlin would call the switchboard operators “stupid” if they didn’t transfer calls quickly enough and told a worker that he “wasn’t unfit to work here”.

“That was the norm as far as we were concerned,” he said.

Workers at the Presidential Residence prepare for US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Jerusalem on May 18, 2017. (Mark Neyman/GPO)

A worker claimed that Rivlin would lash out if the radios carried by security were turned up too high, telling them it was not “a taxi rank”.

“There were literally screams out there,” the source said. “Poor security guards.”

The source also said that if the workers talking in the parking lot made too much noise, Rivlin would open his window and shout, “What the hell is a deal? Return to your offices.

The same worker further claimed that “the women in the office were brought to tears by him. Until his last day… they cried.

Asked to clarify, the worker said Rivlin would criticize and “humiliate” them.

Another worker said a security guard once brought a newspaper to Rivlin, but the president returned it to him and then slammed the door without giving an explanation.

One of the sources claimed that difficult interactions can even turn physical, such as the newspaper incident and another occasion when a worker volunteered to try and fix a TV in the president’s living quarters that didn’t was not working properly.

According to the source, Rivlin became impatient with the worker and eventually grabbed him by the “edge of his shirt” and threw him out, telling him, “We understand that we don’t need your help here.” »

Rivlin also offended a slew of staff when he sought to downsize the residence, which has about 100 people, telling a rally of staff that ‘there is 40% unemployment’ at the site. .

The remark was aimed at drivers and those whose job it was to plan events, a source said.

“They were very offended and made a big deal out of it,” the source said.

Rivlin, in a statement responding to the report, apologized to anyone he may have hurt or offended, while also noting that all complaints were anonymous and that even while he was still in office he was aware differences of opinion regarding some of its policies.

“I believe that there is no active person who does not cause harm by his conduct towards others – whether due to high demands or enormous stress due to the nature of the work”, did he declare.

Then-president Reuven Rivlin (right) organizing the launch of the Israel Press Institute at the president’s residence in Jerusalem, February 7, 2021. (Mark Neyman/GPO)

The former president began by commending Channel 12 reporters for “their faithful work in exposing misconduct by public figures.”

“Allegations made anonymously imply that I, too, failed to meet the expectations of a senior official,” he said.

Rivlin said he has never stopped a worker from filing a complaint and reiterated that he believes the president’s residence could be run more efficiently.

“I knew there are employees who disagree with me on the need for change and I regret the actions they chose to take to present their opposition then and now,” he said. -he declares.

Nonetheless, Rivlin wrote, “I apologize to anyone I have hurt and make it clear that I did not intend to confront anyone in a personal capacity, but only in light of my demands. professionals.

“If during my many years there… I exposed my anger or my grief to them, then I apologize to them and I am sure that at least some of them are no less sorry for the way the things have been presented in your [Channel 12] room.”

Foreign media adviser to the president’s residence Jason Pearlman, who served for years under Rivlin, tweeted in response to Channel 12’s report that he “never experienced or heard of behavior” like this has been reported.

“The conduct was professional and enjoyable and focused on serving the good of the people and the country as a whole,” Pearlman wrote.

Rivlin was replaced on July 7 by President Herzog.

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