Israel's new president opposes Palestinian independence.

By The Associated Press

JERUSALEM — Israel's parliament on Tuesday chose Reuven Rivlin, a veteran nationalist politician and supporter of the Jewish settlement movement, as the country's next president, putting a man opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state into the ceremonial but influential post.

Rivlin, a stalwart in the governing Likud Party, now faces the difficult task of succeeding Shimon Peres, a Nobel peace laureate who became an all-star on the international stage.

While the presidency is largely ceremonial, Rivlin's political views could be a liability when he represents the country overseas. His opposition to Palestinian independence puts him at odds with the international community and Israel's own prime minister.

Rivlin has been a longtime supporter of Jewish settlements in occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians. While rejecting Palestinian independence, he has proposed a special union with the Palestinians in which Jews and Arabs would hold common citizenship but vote for separate parliaments.

The president is meant to serve as a unifying figure and moral compass for the country, and Rivlin has said that, in contrast to Peres, he would focus on domestic affairs if selected for the post.

Speaking at a Knesset ceremony to celebrate his election, Rivlin said his new position “commits me to remove the robe of politics,” an indication that he may subdue his political beliefs as president.

“I am not a man of a (political) movement. I am a man of everyone. A man of the people,” said Rivlin, visibly moved as he made his acceptance speech.

While most political power is held by the prime minister, the president plays several key roles in Israel, with the power to pardon prisoners and authority to choose the prime minister after national elections.

In that role, the president selects a member of parliament, or Knesset, to form a majority coalition after elections. This usually has been the leader of the party with the most seats in parliament. But with the rise of a number of midsize parties in parliament, Rivlin theoretically could have more influence over choosing the country's prime minister.

Rivlin is to be sworn into office for a single, seven-year term on July 24. After the vote on Tuesday, Peres called to congratulate him. Rivlin said it would be tough to follow Peres.

Rivlin, 74, a lawmaker for the right-wing Likud, has served as speaker of parliament and as a cabinet minister. He defeated Meir Sheetrit, another veteran politician, 63-53, in a secret runoff ballot. Three other candidates were eliminated in a first round of voting in the 120-member parliament earlier in the day.

Rivlin will have big shoes to fill, after Peres, 90, steps down. Peres, whose political career stretches back decades and who has been an outspoken proponent of peace with the Palestinians, brought the office international renown. He restored honor to the position, which was tarnished when his predecessor, Moshe Katsav, was forced to step down by a sex scandal. Katsav was convicted of rape and is in prison.

Although Rivlin will play no role in foreign policy, Abdullah Abdullah, a senior Palestinian official, said the election of a man with his views sends a bad message.

“I don't see how he will contribute anything to peacemaking in the region. He is opposed to the two-state solution,” he said.