OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was thrown off when Biden kneeled down to him and Rivlin’s aide, according to The Western Journal.
“This is my chief of staff. She is very Orthodox, and you won’t believe how many children she has,” the Israeli leader said to Biden.
Yes indeed – It's President Biden taking a knee in honor of former Israeli President Rivlin and his chief of staff! Kind of makes you want to go all soft and wobbly, doesn't it? pic.twitter.com/96j6MSkMY0
— Philip Giraldi (@philipgiraldi) July 7, 2021
“You know what? I have to go down on my knees for honoring you for having 12 children,” Biden said.
“I was pretty shocked,” Rivka Ravitz said, “no one would have believed me.”
From The Western Journal:
Rivlin was visiting the White House June 28 as his last state visit before he is replaced by the incoming president, Isaac Herzog. Ravitz, who has served as Rivlin’s aide since 1999 when he was a lawmaker, accompanied him on his visit, according to The Times of Israel.
Rivlin looked stunned, clasping his hands together awkwardly in what appeared to be perfectly understandable surprise that the leader of the free world was behaving so strangely during a state visit on his own soil.
Ravitz, for her part, had to politely decline a handshake from Biden following the odd kneeling stunt, as she does not shake hands with men due to her Orthodox faith.
She may have been a bit hesitant to do so even if she were not devoutly religious, as the whole incident had her in disbelief, as The Jewish Voice noted.
