Former Israeli president Shimon Peres, one of the founders of the state of Israel and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, died early Wednesday in Tel Aviv of complications related to a stroke on Sept. 13. He was 93.
"I will always be grateful that I was able to call Shimon my friend. A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever."
Vice President Biden
Biden, in a statement, called Peres the "soul of Israel."
"When he talked, everyone listened. And later, long after he’d left the room, you remembered what he said. It crept into your soul and stayed with you. Shimon Peres was truly a force of nature ...
"Every nation has a soul — someone who embodies the spirit of a people. And for so many years, Shimon Peres was the soul of Israel."
Former president Bill Clinton
Clinton, in a tweet, called Peres his "brilliant and eloquent friend." In a statement, Clinton said:
"Israel has lost a leader who championed its security, prosperity, and limitless possibilities from its birth to his last day on earth. The Middle East has lost a fervent advocate for peace and reconciliation and for a future where all the children of Abraham build a better tomorrow together."
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
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu posted a video on Twitter in which he said Peres "worked until his last days for peace and a better future for all."
"His name will be forever engraved in the story of the rebirth of the Jewish people as one of our great leaders, as one of the founding fathers of the state of Israel."
Shimon Peres devoted his life to our nation and to the pursuit of peace. He set his gaze on the future. pic.twitter.com/ekUidRNA4K
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) September 28, 2016
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin
Rivlin released a video on YouTube in which he called Peres "a symbol for the great spirit of his people" and said he "made us look far into the future."
"As one man, he carried a whole nation on the wings of imagination, on the wings of vision. And we loved him. We loved him dearly."
A sad day for Israel. President Rivlin's statement on the passing of former President #ShimonPeres. https://t.co/BSisV9tIl7
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) September 28, 2016
British royal family
Prince Charles is expected to attend the funeral services. A statement from Buckingham Palace read:
"Her Majesty warmly recalls her meeting with Mr. Peres in 2008, and sends her heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Israel at this sad time."
Prince Charles will attend Peres's funeral. First time a British royal has stepped foot in Israel since he came to Rabin's funeral in 1995. pic.twitter.com/jaf0o5pVLd
— Raf Sanchez (@rafsanchez) September 28, 2016
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Trudeau, who plans to attend the service in Israel, said:
“Mr. Peres was an internationally-respected statesman and a great friend to Canada. He visited our country often, and helped build relations that remain strong to this day."
Please read my statement on the death of former Israeli President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres: https://t.co/cWYdKH4hwo
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 28, 2016
Tony Blair, former British prime minister and former special envoy to the Quartet on the Middle East
Shimon 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.
— Tony Blair Institute (@InstituteGC) September 28, 2016
David Cameron, former British prime minister
One of the founding fathers of Israel and a believer in peace has left us. Today we mourn the loss of a great man.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 28, 2016
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
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
Greece Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Deeply saddened by the loss of #ShimonPeres. His commitment to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East remains as timely as ever. pic.twitter.com/l87GiwCvUt
— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) September 28, 2016
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