Tributes paid to Israeli statesman Shimon Peres
Following the passing of Israel's former prime minister and president, local and global figures pay their respects
Tributes have been paid to the former Israeli prime minister and president Shimon Peres, following his death aged 93.
Mr Peres, who was one of the country’s most admired leaders and the last surviving link to its founding fathers, had been in hospital since suffering a major stroke two weeks ago.
World figures paid respects to the elder statesman of Israeli politics who won the Nobel peace prize during his unprecedented seven-decade career.
Leading tributes was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He wrote on twitter that he and his wife “express deep personal sorrow over the passing of former President of Israel Shimon Peres”.
We grieve today for the passing of our dear and beloved Shimon Peres.
Shimon devoted his life to our nation and to the pursuit of peace. pic.twitter.com/ttBjb7ZKfY— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 28, 2016
President Barack Obama hailed Mr Peres as a leader whose commitment to Israel’s security and the pursuit of peace “was rooted in his own unshakeable moral foundation and unflagging optimism”, during a long and personal statement.
Mr Obama said Mr Peres looked to the future “guided by a vision of the human dignity and progress that he knew people of goodwill could advance together”.
He called him “the essence of Israel itself,” noting that Mr Peres had fought for the nation’s independence, worked its land and served in virtually every government position.
The president said that with the death of Mr Peres “a light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever”.
Former prime minister Tony Blair tweeted that Mr Peres was “a political giant, a statesman who will rank as one of the foremost of this era or any era, and someone I loved deeply”.
Current Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn posted this message on his Twitter:
Shimon Peres's role in Israel-Palestine negotiations won a Nobel Peace Prize & should be the spur for a renewed drive for peace and justice.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 28, 2016
Tributes were also posted on Twitter. An official whitehouse message said ““A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever.”
“A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever.” —@POTUS on the passing of Shimon Peres: https://t.co/kfiWabFROR pic.twitter.com/hC021MJlBD
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) September 28, 2016
Former President Bill Clinton said he’d miss ‘his friend’, adding that “his life was a blessing to all who strive for peace”
I will miss Shimon Peres, my brilliant and eloquent friend. His life was a blessing to all who strive for peace. https://t.co/7aIk3mt3Og pic.twitter.com/Iosr09jQq9
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 28, 2016
Other world leaders paying respects included Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau, Indian PM Narendra Modi, and former U.S. President George Bush Snr.
Shimon Peres was, above all, a man of peace. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and to the people of Israel on his passing.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 28, 2016
In former President Shimon Peres, we lost a key world leader & a friend of India. Pained by his demise. Our condolences to people of Israel.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2016
FM #Steinmeier: „Shimon #Peres will be missed by all of us. We mourn for a brave and wise voice. The world has lost a great statesman." pic.twitter.com/LGy14hE99Y
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) September 28, 2016
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