Yes he did say he was a jew in the context of the religion he was born into and raised.
He may a much larger point though of being an atheist mentioning this on several occassions during the interview, not believing in the 10 commandments and the after life and several other points.
Rivikin may or may not tell lies but I think you may be a little over critical on this point. Unless I am mistaken even one of our resident zionists sees himself in the same way
