Israel MPs elect Reuven Rivlin as president
Mr Rivlin, a former parliamentary speaker and Cabinet minister, defeated long-time MP Meir Sheetrit, by 63 to 53 in a secret run-off ballot.
He will succeed Shimon Peres, 90, who ends his seven-year term in July.
The Israeli president occupies a largely ceremonial position and has no formal role in peace talks with the Palestinians.
Mr Rivlin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party, will become Israel's 10th president.
He won when voting on Tuesday went to a second round.
The 74-year-old opposes the creation of a Palestinian state, putting him at odds with the platform adopted by Mr Netanyahu.
He is also a supporter of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, another central issue in the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians.
Reuven Rivlin
Born in 1939 in Jerusalem
Trained as a lawyer
First elected to the Knesset (parliament) in 1988
Former chairman of Betar Jerusalem sports association and loyal supporter of their football team
Served as minister of communications under then PM Ariel Sharon between 2001 and 2003
Elected Knesset Speaker in 2003 in an uncontested victory
Congratulating Mr Rivlin on Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu cited their common history in right-wing politics.
"I know you will do your utmost as president to meet the two-fold mission of unifying the nation and showing unity in the face of external challenges," the PM is quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
"I promise, as a prime minister from a similar background, to work with you."
Observers say Mr Peres, a Nobel peace laureate who is popular among many Israelis, will be a hard act to follow.
Mr Rivlin, who will be sworn in on 24 July, is expected to shift the presidency's focus from international affairs to more domestic matters
BBC
