(VOVworld) – Reuven Rivlin, 74, a member of the far-right ruling Liukud party, was sworn in Thursday as the 10^th President of Israel, succeeding Shimon Peres.

Newly sworn-in Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

During his inauguration ceremony at the Israeli Parliament, Rivlin promised to fulfil his duty and made strong statements against the Hamas Islamic movement, condemning it for terrorism and using civilians as shields. Rivlin was elected by the Israeli Parliament on June 10, with 63 of 120 votes in support, while the runner-up Meir Sheetrit gained 53. Rivlin was a lawyer and served as speaker of the Israeli Parliament twice.