Reuven Rivlin vs Yoon Suk Yeol

Rivlin was elected Speaker of the Knesset, serving until 2013. He used the position to defend parliamentary democracy and free speech, often clashing with coalition leaders.

Rivlin was elected as the tenth President of Israel by the Knesset. He took office in July 2014, succeeding Shimon Peres, and served as a largely ceremonial head of state.

Rivlin publicly criticized the Nation-State Law, which defined Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, arguing it could harm democratic values and relations with minorities.

During Israel's prolonged political crisis with multiple elections, Rivlin repeatedly urged compromise and warned against threats to democratic institutions. He played a key role in mediating coalition talks.

Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor general, won the 2022 presidential election by a narrow margin, defeating Lee Jae-myung. His campaign focused on conservative policies, anti-corruption, and a tougher stance on North Korea.

Yoon announced a shift from the engagement policies of previous administrations, adopting a more confrontational approach towards North Korea. He emphasized denuclearization and strengthening the US-ROK alliance, including joint military exercises.

Yoon's government proposed labor reforms including extending the maximum workweek to 69 hours, sparking massive protests from unions and young workers. The plan was later withdrawn after public backlash.

Yoon made a state visit to the US, where he and President Biden issued the Washington Declaration, strengthening extended deterrence against North Korea. The visit included agreements on nuclear planning and technology cooperation.