Former Israeli President Shimon Peres, an omnipresent figure of the Israeli state, chief architect of its nuclear weapons program and a driving force behind its interim peace accords with the Palestinians, died Wednesday. He was 93. The Nobel peace laureate had been hospitalized in the city of Ramat Gan over the past two weeks after suffering…
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The America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) issued this statement:
We join the people of Israel in mourning the loss of Shimon Peres, a visionary Israeli patriot and beloved statesman who came to symbolize the reborn Jewish state. He sought to realize the ancient Jewish yearning for peace where there was strife and pursued reconciliation amidst discord. As an indefatigable advocate for justice and human progress, he earned the respect and appreciation of his fellow leaders and the global community. Indeed, his life’s work was an inspiration to all who strive for peace and freedom.
Throughout his distinguished career in public service, including his work as Prime Minister and then as President, Shimon Peres sought to strengthen ties between the United States and Israel in deep appreciation of the democratic values we share.
As we mourn his passing, we know his legacy will live on through the many good deeds he accomplished, the countless lives he enriched, and the commitment to the Jewish state he inspired in so many. May his memory forever be a blessing.
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The UJA Federation of New York issued this statement:
UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric S. Goldstein issued the following statement tonight following the passing of Israel’s former Prime Minister and President, Shimon Peres, z”l, at age 93.
“On behalf of the entire New York Jewish community, we deeply mourn the passing of Shimon Peres, one of the greatest Jewish leaders of our time,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York. “President Peres was one of the extraordinary visionaries of our age, a towering Zionist hero of deep courage who devoted his life to serving and defending Israel and the Jewish people. He did so much to strengthen the US-Israel relationship and had a deep and abiding relationship with the New York Jewish community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family and with the people of Israel. May his memory be for a blessing.”
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The American Jewish Committee issued this statement:
– AJC joins with the people of Israel and lovers of peace around the world in mourning the passing of Shimon Peres, the last surviving leader of Israel’s founding generation, at the age of 93.
“Shimon Peres will forever be remembered as one of the great visionary leaders of the Jewish people,” said AJC CEO David Harris, who met with Peres many times both in Israel and the U.S.
“Peres had extraordinary energy, boundless optimism, and future-oriented vision, not only about the possibilities of peace and coexistence in the region, but also about the exciting pathways of new technologies for the benefit of humankind—from nano-science to mapping the brain,” Harris added.
Harris also noted Mr. Peres’s close relationship with AJC, saying, “His door was always open to us.”
AJC leaders met with Peres often over the years both in Israel and the U.S. “He would often graciously thank AJC for its support during the 1960s, when he and his mentor, David Ben-Gurion, were in the political wilderness,” said Harris.
Peres addressed AJC meetings on a number of occasions, notably AJC’s 2001 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., where he shared the platform with President George W. Bush, Mexican President Vincente Fox, and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher.
“Among all Jewish organizations, I have found that yours is the most profound,” Peres said of AJC. “Your organization was the first one to focus on the globality of our life. I don’t know any other organization that pays so much attention to what’s happening outside the United States, with respect to and beyond Jewish life, from India to Germany to France and in many other places.”
The life of Shimon Peres was virtually synonymous with the history of the State of Israel. Born Szymon Perski in Poland in 1923, Peres was brought to Palestine in 1934. He was a member of the Haganah during Israel’s War of Independence, supervised the new nation’s arms purchases in the U.S., and, as Director-General of the Defense Ministry, negotiated an arrangement with France to supply vital arms to the Jewish state.
Peres spent decades at the center of Israeli political life. First elected to the Knesset in 1959, he was named Minister of Immigrant Absorption ten years later, and then Minister of Transportation and Communications, Information Minister, Minister of Defense, and Foreign Minister. He twice served as Prime Minister (1984-86, 1995-96). While he was Foreign Minister in 1994, Peres—along with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin—shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Yasir Arafat for the Oslo Accords aimed at securing an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Peres reached the peak of his popularity during his term as President of Israel from 2007 to 2014. Liberated from the constraints of partisan politics, he emerged as a revered symbol of national unity and a visionary spokesman for peace between Israel and its neighbors. In 2012, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
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Americans for Peace Now issued this statement:
Americans for Peace Now (APN) mourns the death of Shimon Peres, the former president and prime minister of the State of Israel, an icon of Israel’s founding generation, a visionary of peace and security for Israel, a dedicated leader who led Israel through wars and in the quest for peace.
APN’s President and CEO Debra DeLee said: “Shimon Peres has been a fixture in Israeli public life since the inception of the Jewish state. He held almost every possible senior position in government, and left his mark on every aspect of Israeli public life – security, foreign relations, the economy, technology, culture and the arts. He was a renaissance man, with unmatched intellectual curiosity and a passion for advancing peace and security for Israel. Peres’ understanding of Israeli national security extended from military might to the arts, from technology to transportation and social justice.
“As the sister-organization of Israel’s preeminent peace movement, Shalom Achshav (Peace Now), APN salutes President Peres for his indefatigable efforts to advance peace between Israel and its neighbors and for his invaluable contribution to Israel’s security.
“Shimon Peres’ memory and legacy are a blessing to anyone who cares about Israel and its wellbeing as a democracy that is guided by progressive values.”
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The Anti Defamation League issued this statement:
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today mourned the passing of Israel’s longest serving and most prominent leader and statesman, former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres.
Marvin D. Nathan, ADL National Chair, and Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:
Literally present at the creation of the Jewish state, Shimon Peres was the diplomatic, political and social innovation face of Israel over a seven decade career. Through the years, he merged a stalwart, hands-on commitment to Israel’s viability and security with a dogged determination to promote peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, including a two-state solution with the Palestinians. His moderation and insight not only drew world leaders and dignitaries to meet and consult with him, but also served Israel in its ongoing fight against delegitimization and other anti-Israel forces.
At an age when all of his contemporaries had entered retirement, along with taking up skydiving, Peres worked to promote social innovation and new advanced technologies for international social change and the greater good.
History will remember Peres for his tireless commitment, dedication and contributions to a secure Jewish state of Israel living in peace with its neighbors. In the weeks he spent in the hospital, the love he received from Israel and all across the globe reflects how meaningful he was for so many.
We will deeply miss his clarion voice, statesmanship and wisdom.
In September 2014, ADL honored Peres with its Distinguished Statesman Award in honor of his remarkable career in service to Israel and the Jewish people. At the honoring, he spoke about the miracle of the survival of the Jewish people, despite anti-Semitism and persecution through the ages and attempts by multiple Arab armies to destroy Israel and argued that “the greatest victory will be peace” between Israelis and Palestinians.
On the anniversary of ADL’s centennial, Peres presented a special message, which commended the League for its work to combat anti-Semitism as “the greatest sickness of our time.”
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Congressman Peter Roskam issued this statement:
U.S. Representative Peter J. Roskam released the following statement on the passing of Israeli statesman Shimon Peres z”l:
“Shimon Peres was a true Israeli hero and a source of great inspiration to me personally. He defended the Jewish people with an iron fist while relentlessly seeking peace and extending an open hand to Israel’s neighbors.
“He chose not to be a cynic, famously ‘preferr[ing] to live as an optimist’ because ‘optimists and pessimists die the same way, they just live differently.’ Shimon Peres did more with his time on Earth than most people could accomplish in 3 or 4 lifetimes.
“May his memory be a blessing for the world to come. We mourn with the Peres family and the entire nation of Israel.”
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From Ezra Friedlander:
Shimon Peres possessed an indomitable personality who exuded optimism and who understood and contributed to what is now the unbreakable bond between the United States and the State of Israel. I was privileged to coordinate the effort that culminated in the Congress of the United States presenting President Peres with the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his 90th birthday and the marking the 65 anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel-the last remaining member of Israel’s founding generation has now passed on”.
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U.S. President Barack Obama issued this statement:
There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of ourselves. My friend Shimon was one of those people.
Shimon Peres once said that, “I learned that public service is a privilege that must be based on moral foundations.” Tonight, Michelle and I join people across Israel, the United States and around the world in honoring the extraordinary life of our dear friend Shimon Peres—a Founding Father of the State of Israel and a statesman whose commitment to Israel’s security and pursuit of peace was rooted in his own unshakeable moral foundation and unflagging optimism.
I will always be grateful that I was able to call Shimon my friend. I first visited him in Jerusalem when I was a senator, and when I asked for his advice, he told me that while people often say that the future belongs to the young, it’s the present that really belongs to the young. “Leave the future to me,” he said, “I have time.” And he was right. Whether it was during our conversations in the Oval Office, walking together through Yad Vashem, or when I presented him with America’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, Shimon always looked to the future. He was guided by a vision of the human dignity and progress that he knew people of goodwill could advance together. He brought young people from around the world together because he knew they could carry us closer to our ideals of justice and equality.
Shimon was the essence of Israel itself—the courage of Israel’s fight for independence, the optimism he shared with his wife Sonya as they helped make the desert bloom, and the perseverance that led him to serve his nation in virtually every position in government across the entire life of the State of Israel. As Americans, we are in his debt because, having worked with every U.S. president since John F. Kennedy, no one did more over so many years as Shimon Peres to build the alliance between our two countries—an unbreakable alliance that today is closer and stronger than it has ever been.
Perhaps because he had seen Israel surmount overwhelming odds, Shimon never gave up on the possibility of peace between Israelis, Palestinians and Israel’s neighbors—not even after the heartbreak of the night in Tel Aviv that took Yitzhak Rabin. “Dear friends,” he told us during my visit to Israel three years ago, “after everything I have seen in my life, I earned the right to believe that peace is attainable.” Tonight, I can think of no greater tribute to his life than to renew our commitment to the peace that we know is possible. Our thoughts are with his children Zvia, Yoni and Chemi, their families and all who loved and admired Shimon Peres, of blessed memory.
A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever. Shimon Peres was a soldier for Israel, for the Jewish people, for justice, for peace, and for the belief that we can be true to our best selves – to the very end of our time on Earth, and in the legacy that we leave to others. For the gift of his friendship and the example of his leadership, todah rabah, Shimon.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued this statement:
“Today Israel lost an eyewitness to its birth and an architect of its history, Shimon Peres. He helped transform a dream into a nation and no one worked harder to bring peace to the region. Throughout his extraordinary career in public service, he sought to bridge political differences and find common ground, an example that our world needs today more than ever. New York and Israel have always shared a special bond, and his door was always open to me and to all of our city’s representatives — including on his last day in office, when I was honored to pay him a visit. I was lucky to call him a friend, and I was always inspired by his wisdom and optimism. His life and work will forever remain a vital part of the foundation upon which Israel is built.”
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The Jewish Council for Public Affairs issued this statement:
JCPA is deeply saddened by the passing of Shimon Peres and mourns the loss of Israel’s elder statesman, nation-builder, and peacemaker.
“President Peres was a true visionary and statesman, and a long-time friend of the JCPA, meeting us on numerous occasions in both the US and Israel,” stated JCPA Board chair Cheryl Fishbein. “It’s hard to imagine Israel without him.”
“We had the honor of meeting with him in Israel this past January,” stated David Bernstein, JCPA’s President and CEO. “He was as sharp and eloquent as ever.”
“One might expect a man in his 90s to speak fondly of the past,” Bernstein said. “But even in his final year President Peres spoke compellingly about the future. I don’t think there has been anyone quite like him or anyone who will be like him again.”
During his tenure as Prime Minister and later President of Israel, President Peres worked as an indefatigable voice for peace and reconciliation between the Israelis and the Arab world. He was an architect of the Oslo peace accords, and his pursuit of a peace deal with Palestinians, intercultural reconciliation and economic integration earned him a well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
As the last living member of Israel’s founding generation, Mr. Peres bequeaths a remarkable legacy to the Jewish people and serves as a model for current and future leaders both in Israel and around the globe.
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Jewish National Fund issued this statement:
Jewish National Fund mourns the loss of former Israeli President Shimon Peres (z’’l), who passed away in Tel Aviv at the age of 93 surrounded by family and loved ones.
One of the last surviving pillars of Israel’s founding generation, Shimon Peres was born in Poland in 1923, made aliyah in 1934, and was a key figure in the Israeli State’s leadership for more than 50 years. Throughout his life, Peres dedicated himself to ensuring the prosperity and success of the State of Israel as the eternal homeland of the Jewish people. In addition to a distinguished military career, Peres served Israel in many capacities including as a member of the Israeli Knesset, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the first Minister of the Negev and Galil, twice as Prime Minister, and from 2007-2014 as President. In 1994, Peres, along with former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, was awarded the Noble Peace Prize.
To honor former Israeli President Shimon Peres, Jewish National Fund is establishing a forest in Israel in his memory.
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Peretz Lavie, president of Technion, issued this statement:
Shimon Peres, the 9th president of the State of Israel, recipient of an honorary doctorate from the Technion and a true friend, passed away this morning. As a visionary, Shimon Peres believed in the power of technology to change human reality. In a letter he sent me in 2013 he wrote that “Technion researchers and scientists, many talented young people among them, contribute to the positioning of Israel as an original and daring global laboratory at the forefront of scientific development worldwide. There is no limit to your breakthrough and innovation. You guarantee the preservation of Israel’s qualitative edge into the future.”
He was a unique person, full of optimism and vision, who believed in the power of science and engineering in advancing humanity towards a better future. He supported the development of research in nanotechnology and laid the cornerstone for the Nanoelctronics Center named after Sarah and Moshe Zisapel at Technion. Nanotechnology Research, which at the time was a new and pioneering field, is today a central field of activity at Technion.
Peres liked visiting the Technion, and was always thrilled by the level of scientific research and technological innovation. A year ago he honored the Technion by participating in the groundbreaking ceremony of Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) in China – an initiative he claimed to be evidence of Israeli innovation and its ability to cross geographical boundaries.
We lost a dear man today, a true friend and mentor. May he be of blessed memory.
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The Republican Jewish Coalition issued this statement:
Washington, D.C. – The Republican Jewish Coalition released the following statement in response to the passing of Shimon Peres:
“The RJC notes with sadness the passing of one of Israel’s finest public servants and the longest-serving Member of Knesset, Shimon Peres. From his start as Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, through service as Minister of Transportation, Minister of Finance, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Prime Minister, and finally as President of Israel, Peres’ focus was always on the security and development of the Jewish state.
“Shimon Peres was the last remaining national leader of the generation that founded the State of Israel. He and his comrades, such as Yitzhak Rabin, Yitzhak Shamir, Ariel Sharon, and Ezer Weizman, fought the War of Independence, built the State of Israel, and guided its development into the flourishing modern democracy and regional power that it is today. Peres was a man of vision and a good friend of the United States. May his memory be a blessing.” – Matt Brooks, RJC Executive Director
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Congresswoman Ladda Tammy Duckworth of Illinois issued this statement:
“I am saddened by the loss of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who had a been a steadfast champion for his nation’s security as well as for peace in the Middle East for more than 50 years. His humanity and unfailing belief in the the goodness of mankind should inspire us all, and the accomplishments of his long career in public service will not be forgotten; his impact on Israel endures. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones tonight, and I join the entire Israeli community in mourning his passing.”
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Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) President Morton A. Klein issued the following statement:
The ZOA sends our sincere condolences to the family of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres on the passing last night of their beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Peres made enormous contributions to rebuilding Israel, from a deserted wasteland into the revitalized Jewish State. In “I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl,” a book of essays edited by Judea and Ruth Pearl (the parents of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was beheaded by Islamist terrorists), Peres eloquently wrote about what being part of the Jewish State’s revival meant to him:
“Despite everything, even this meager wave of immigration [the Aliyah of Jews returning to Israel in 1882-1914] exercised a miracle: For the first time in history, a people who left, or was banished from, their country, was revived and started gathering in the land of their forbears. Never had such an extraordinary event been witnessed until then, nor did it take place since, with any other people.
Peres made enormous contributions to rebuilding Israel, from a deserted wasteland into the revitalized Jewish State.
Eretz Yisrael [the land of Israel] was desolate, devastated, its land reluctant and tired, land with practically no water. Despite the lack of experience, and infertility of the soil, the standard of agriculture that developed in Israel is today perceived by many to be the highest in the world. Not only did the desert bloom, but new and amazing cooperative frameworks were also built . . . .
And as the barren land was tilled, war broke out. Israel was attacked by forces that were far superior – both in numbers and in arms [6 Arab countries] – whereas the barely born state [of Israel] was desperately short of arms, and its army practically nonexistent. The land of the Jews was attacked five times, and all five ended in victory. Once again, a people lacking in military tradition, and in the face of an unequal balance of strategic military power, created an army which, in this case as well, is recognized as one of the best in the world.
I saw the ploughs and I saw the rifles. And nowadays, I see modern microscopes in [Israel’s] universities that shed light on atoms invisible to the naked eye, making it possible to build a whole new world. What could be more fulfilling, more riveting, more just, than to be a part of such a people?”
We are truly grateful for Peres’ extraordinary contributions to Israel’s security, including helping to arm the previously defenseless Jewish people, fathering Israel’s aircraft industry, and serving in numerous government posts.
We also remember the strong disappointment Shimon Peres felt that his vision for peace with the Arabs remained unfulfilled. Peres had hoped and believed that his Oslo Agreement with Yasser Arafat would have finally brought the peace he and all the Jewish people desperately wanted and relentlessly worked for. His hopes were shattered by the continuous refusal by the Palestinian Authority and its people to accept Israel as a Jewish State and their relentless promotion of hatred and violence against Israel and the Jewish people in their media, schools, and speeches.
However, today we applaud and appreciate all of the magnificent achievements of Israel’s great and visionary leader Shimon Peres during his lifetime of service to our people and the Jewish Homeland.
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following statement:
Teresa and I join countless friends and admirers around the world in expressing our deep sorrow at the passing of Israeli leader Shimon Peres. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the people of Israel as we mourn the loss of one of the world’s greatest statesmen.
Shimon’s life traced his country’s extraordinary journey. He was one of Israel’s founding patriots. He was an immigrant who went on to cultivate the land and plant the seeds of a modern state. He helped ensure Israel could defend itself in times of war, but was always ready to extend a hand to former adversaries. He dedicated his career to unifying and defending Israel and helping his young nation blossom into a beacon of democracy and prosperity in the Middle East. He embodied the friendship and values that are at the heart of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and stood at the forefront of efforts to forge and sustain the unshakable bonds between our countries.
To the world, he was a figure of towering moral credibility, dedicated to finding the path to peace and security among his neighbors. To everyone he met, he was a person of decency and kindness, who spoke of honor and reconciliation even in times of trouble and strife.
I first met Shimon as a young United States Senator some three decades ago and cherished our many conversations during his service as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in the small private office he used as President, and most recently during the quiet Shabbat dinner we shared soon after his retirement. To the very end, he remained a boundless source of ideas about the future, his focus on finding for the coming generations the peace that had eluded his. He was a great listener who left a legacy of unmatched eloquence. I will never forget sitting near Shimon at the dedication of the William J. Clinton Library, and watching as he scrawled just a few notes on a small piece of paper, before delivering some of the most stirring words about peace that I had ever heard.
Shimon once said that a person’s ultimate goal should be “to find a cause that’s larger than yourself and then to give your life to it.” Shimon embodied this statement. His cause was the independence and security of the State of Israel; his cause was peace for the Jewish people in his community’s ancient homeland; his cause was an Israel that would always be pluralistic, innovative, safe, strong, and free – and he certainly gave every day of his life to that high goal.
Israel lost a founding father; the world lost a warrior for peace and a giant of history; and I, like so many others who had the privilege to know Shimon, lost a dear friend. May his life and legacy continue to inspire everyone who strives for justice and pursues peace. May his memory be a blessing for us all.
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The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has issued the following statement:
New York, NY September 28, 2016… The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is deeply saddened by the passing of Shimon Peres, Israel’s 9th President, who also served twice as Prime Minister during his distinguished lifelong career of public service to Israel and the Jewish people.
Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of the Conference of Presidents said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Shimon Peres, the last of the generation of founding leaders of Israel, a great friend, staunch supporter and partner in the work of the Conference. His distinguished lifelong career devoted to public service was guided by an unwavering commitment to the ideals of Zionism and an abiding love for the State of Israel and all its people, and for Jews throughout the world.
President Peres was a man of great vision, a pragmatic politician and a skilled statesman, who worked tirelessly to enhance Israel’s security, strengthen its democratic society and promote its standing in the world. He sought peace within and without Israel. His intellect, personality and unswerving pursuit of a better future for Israel and the world, inspired generations of Israelis and many others around the globe, garnering the respect of world leaders until the very end of his life.”
On a short trip to Israel last week, Mr. Hoenlein visited with President Peres in the hospital to bring the prayers and well wishes of the American Jewish Community and met with his son Chemi and son-in-law Dr. Rafi Valdan.
Commenting on the encounter at the hospital, Mr. Hoenlein said, “I am grateful I had the opportunity to be at the hospital and to share memories with Chemi and Rafi. I know so many who wanted to do the same. My relationship with President Peres spanned almost four decades. I cherished his friendship, advice and wisdom. He made certain to brief us on major developments like the London Agreement and Oslo Accords, sometimes even before Israeli officials. President Peres’ many contributions will be a lasting memorial this great leader.”
Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Hoenlein also noted that “President Peres was always available to meet with us and with Conference of Presidents delegations on our many visits to Israel and when he was in the United States. Those countless encounters were lively, illuminating, sometimes provocative and always deepened our connection to Israel and his connection to the American Jewish community.
Today, we join with the family of Shimon Peres, the people of Israel and the international community in mourning his loss. We pray that his memory will be a blessing and will continue to inspire this and future generations.”
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Israel Tennis Center Foundation issued this statement:
It is with the deepest sense of loss that we mourn the passing of Shimon Peres, Israel’s longest serving statesman and dear friend of the Israel Tennis Centers. President Peres served with distinction in every possible capacity throughout his distinguished career. ITC founders have had the privilege of working with President Peres through the years, receiving numerous awards and commendations from his administration for the service the ITC provided the children of Israel.
The ITC created its highly successful Twinned Kindergarten Peace Program in partnership with the Peres Peace Center, a leading coexistence organization founded in 1996 by President Peres. Since then, thousands of children, their parents and teachers have all taken part in a variety of activities designed to encourage mutual respect. It is this constant striving for peace and understanding that is Shimon Peres’ lasting legacy, one that the Israel Tennis Centers is proud to embrace as well.
As we celebrate a new year this Rosh Hashanah season, please take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary life of Shimon Peres and the impact he has on the people of Israel and the world. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration to us all as we seek to find meaning in everything we do.
The America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) issued this statement:
We join the people of Israel in mourning the loss of Shimon Peres, a visionary Israeli patriot and beloved statesman who came to symbolize the reborn Jewish state. He sought to realize the ancient Jewish yearning for peace where there was strife and pursued reconciliation amidst discord. As an indefatigable advocate for justice and human progress, he earned the respect and appreciation of his fellow leaders and the global community. Indeed, his life’s work was an inspiration to all who strive for peace and freedom.
Throughout his distinguished career in public service, including his work as Prime Minister and then as President, Shimon Peres sought to strengthen ties between the United States and Israel in deep appreciation of the democratic values we share.
As we mourn his passing, we know his legacy will live on through the many good deeds he accomplished, the countless lives he enriched, and the commitment to the Jewish state he inspired in so many. May his memory forever be a blessing.
The UJA Federation of New York issued this statement:
UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric S. Goldstein issued the following statement tonight following the passing of Israel’s former Prime Minister and President, Shimon Peres, z”l, at age 93.
“On behalf of the entire New York Jewish community, we deeply mourn the passing of Shimon Peres, one of the greatest Jewish leaders of our time,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York. “President Peres was one of the extraordinary visionaries of our age, a towering Zionist hero of deep courage who devoted his life to serving and defending Israel and the Jewish people. He did so much to strengthen the US-Israel relationship and had a deep and abiding relationship with the New York Jewish community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family and with the people of Israel. May his memory be for a blessing.”
The American Jewish Committee issued this statement:
– AJC joins with the people of Israel and lovers of peace around the world in mourning the passing of Shimon Peres, the last surviving leader of Israel’s founding generation, at the age of 93.
“Shimon Peres will forever be remembered as one of the great visionary leaders of the Jewish people,” said AJC CEO David Harris, who met with Peres many times both in Israel and the U.S.
“Peres had extraordinary energy, boundless optimism, and future-oriented vision, not only about the possibilities of peace and coexistence in the region, but also about the exciting pathways of new technologies for the benefit of humankind—from nano-science to mapping the brain,” Harris added.
Harris also noted Mr. Peres’s close relationship with AJC, saying, “His door was always open to us.”
AJC leaders met with Peres often over the years both in Israel and the U.S. “He would often graciously thank AJC for its support during the 1960s, when he and his mentor, David Ben-Gurion, were in the political wilderness,” said Harris.
Peres addressed AJC meetings on a number of occasions, notably AJC’s 2001 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., where he shared the platform with President George W. Bush, Mexican President Vincente Fox, and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher.
“Among all Jewish organizations, I have found that yours is the most profound,” Peres said of AJC. “Your organization was the first one to focus on the globality of our life. I don’t know any other organization that pays so much attention to what’s happening outside the United States, with respect to and beyond Jewish life, from India to Germany to France and in many other places.”
The life of Shimon Peres was virtually synonymous with the history of the State of Israel. Born Szymon Perski in Poland in 1923, Peres was brought to Palestine in 1934. He was a member of the Haganah during Israel’s War of Independence, supervised the new nation’s arms purchases in the U.S., and, as Director-General of the Defense Ministry, negotiated an arrangement with France to supply vital arms to the Jewish state.
Peres spent decades at the center of Israeli political life. First elected to the Knesset in 1959, he was named Minister of Immigrant Absorption ten years later, and then Minister of Transportation and Communications, Information Minister, Minister of Defense, and Foreign Minister. He twice served as Prime Minister (1984-86, 1995-96). While he was Foreign Minister in 1994, Peres—along with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin—shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Yasir Arafat for the Oslo Accords aimed at securing an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Peres reached the peak of his popularity during his term as President of Israel from 2007 to 2014. Liberated from the constraints of partisan politics, he emerged as a revered symbol of national unity and a visionary spokesman for peace between Israel and its neighbors. In 2012, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
Americans for Peace Now issued this statement:
Americans for Peace Now (APN) mourns the death of Shimon Peres, the former president and prime minister of the State of Israel, an icon of Israel’s founding generation, a visionary of peace and security for Israel, a dedicated leader who led Israel through wars and in the quest for peace.
APN’s President and CEO Debra DeLee said: “Shimon Peres has been a fixture in Israeli public life since the inception of the Jewish state. He held almost every possible senior position in government, and left his mark on every aspect of Israeli public life – security, foreign relations, the economy, technology, culture and the arts. He was a renaissance man, with unmatched intellectual curiosity and a passion for advancing peace and security for Israel. Peres’ understanding of Israeli national security extended from military might to the arts, from technology to transportation and social justice.
“As the sister-organization of Israel’s preeminent peace movement, Shalom Achshav (Peace Now), APN salutes President Peres for his indefatigable efforts to advance peace between Israel and its neighbors and for his invaluable contribution to Israel’s security.
“Shimon Peres’ memory and legacy are a blessing to anyone who cares about Israel and its wellbeing as a democracy that is guided by progressive values.”
The Anti Defamation League issued this statement:
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today mourned the passing of Israel’s longest serving and most prominent leader and statesman, former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres.
Marvin D. Nathan, ADL National Chair, and Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:
Literally present at the creation of the Jewish state, Shimon Peres was the diplomatic, political and social innovation face of Israel over a seven decade career. Through the years, he merged a stalwart, hands-on commitment to Israel’s viability and security with a dogged determination to promote peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, including a two-state solution with the Palestinians. His moderation and insight not only drew world leaders and dignitaries to meet and consult with him, but also served Israel in its ongoing fight against delegitimization and other anti-Israel forces.
At an age when all of his contemporaries had entered retirement, along with taking up skydiving, Peres worked to promote social innovation and new advanced technologies for international social change and the greater good.
History will remember Peres for his tireless commitment, dedication and contributions to a secure Jewish state of Israel living in peace with its neighbors. In the weeks he spent in the hospital, the love he received from Israel and all across the globe reflects how meaningful he was for so many.
We will deeply miss his clarion voice, statesmanship and wisdom.
In September 2014, ADL honored Peres with its Distinguished Statesman Award in honor of his remarkable career in service to Israel and the Jewish people. At the honoring, he spoke about the miracle of the survival of the Jewish people, despite anti-Semitism and persecution through the ages and attempts by multiple Arab armies to destroy Israel and argued that “the greatest victory will be peace” between Israelis and Palestinians.
On the anniversary of ADL’s centennial, Peres presented a special message, which commended the League for its work to combat anti-Semitism as “the greatest sickness of our time.”
Congressman Peter Roskam issued this statement:
U.S. Representative Peter J. Roskam released the following statement on the passing of Israeli statesman Shimon Peres z”l:
“Shimon Peres was a true Israeli hero and a source of great inspiration to me personally. He defended the Jewish people with an iron fist while relentlessly seeking peace and extending an open hand to Israel’s neighbors.
“He chose not to be a cynic, famously ‘preferr[ing] to live as an optimist’ because ‘optimists and pessimists die the same way, they just live differently.’ Shimon Peres did more with his time on Earth than most people could accomplish in 3 or 4 lifetimes.
“May his memory be a blessing for the world to come. We mourn with the Peres family and the entire nation of Israel.”
From Ezra Friedlander:
Shimon Peres possessed an indomitable personality who exuded optimism and who understood and contributed to what is now the unbreakable bond between the United States and the State of Israel. I was privileged to coordinate the effort that culminated in the Congress of the United States presenting President Peres with the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his 90th birthday and the marking the 65 anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel-the last remaining member of Israel’s founding generation has now passed on”.
U.S. President Barack Obama issued this statement:
There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of ourselves. My friend Shimon was one of those people.
Shimon Peres once said that, “I learned that public service is a privilege that must be based on moral foundations.” Tonight, Michelle and I join people across Israel, the United States and around the world in honoring the extraordinary life of our dear friend Shimon Peres—a Founding Father of the State of Israel and a statesman whose commitment to Israel’s security and pursuit of peace was rooted in his own unshakeable moral foundation and unflagging optimism.
I will always be grateful that I was able to call Shimon my friend. I first visited him in Jerusalem when I was a senator, and when I asked for his advice, he told me that while people often say that the future belongs to the young, it’s the present that really belongs to the young. “Leave the future to me,” he said, “I have time.” And he was right. Whether it was during our conversations in the Oval Office, walking together through Yad Vashem, or when I presented him with America’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, Shimon always looked to the future. He was guided by a vision of the human dignity and progress that he knew people of goodwill could advance together. He brought young people from around the world together because he knew they could carry us closer to our ideals of justice and equality.
Shimon was the essence of Israel itself—the courage of Israel’s fight for independence, the optimism he shared with his wife Sonya as they helped make the desert bloom, and the perseverance that led him to serve his nation in virtually every position in government across the entire life of the State of Israel. As Americans, we are in his debt because, having worked with every U.S. president since John F. Kennedy, no one did more over so many years as Shimon Peres to build the alliance between our two countries—an unbreakable alliance that today is closer and stronger than it has ever been.
Perhaps because he had seen Israel surmount overwhelming odds, Shimon never gave up on the possibility of peace between Israelis, Palestinians and Israel’s neighbors—not even after the heartbreak of the night in Tel Aviv that took Yitzhak Rabin. “Dear friends,” he told us during my visit to Israel three years ago, “after everything I have seen in my life, I earned the right to believe that peace is attainable.” Tonight, I can think of no greater tribute to his life than to renew our commitment to the peace that we know is possible. Our thoughts are with his children Zvia, Yoni and Chemi, their families and all who loved and admired Shimon Peres, of blessed memory.
A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever. Shimon Peres was a soldier for Israel, for the Jewish people, for justice, for peace, and for the belief that we can be true to our best selves – to the very end of our time on Earth, and in the legacy that we leave to others. For the gift of his friendship and the example of his leadership, todah rabah, Shimon.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued this statement:
“Today Israel lost an eyewitness to its birth and an architect of its history, Shimon Peres. He helped transform a dream into a nation and no one worked harder to bring peace to the region. Throughout his extraordinary career in public service, he sought to bridge political differences and find common ground, an example that our world needs today more than ever. New York and Israel have always shared a special bond, and his door was always open to me and to all of our city’s representatives — including on his last day in office, when I was honored to pay him a visit. I was lucky to call him a friend, and I was always inspired by his wisdom and optimism. His life and work will forever remain a vital part of the foundation upon which Israel is built.”
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs issued this statement:
JCPA is deeply saddened by the passing of Shimon Peres and mourns the loss of Israel’s elder statesman, nation-builder, and peacemaker.
“President Peres was a true visionary and statesman, and a long-time friend of the JCPA, meeting us on numerous occasions in both the US and Israel,” stated JCPA Board chair Cheryl Fishbein. “It’s hard to imagine Israel without him.”
“We had the honor of meeting with him in Israel this past January,” stated David Bernstein, JCPA’s President and CEO. “He was as sharp and eloquent as ever.”
“One might expect a man in his 90s to speak fondly of the past,” Bernstein said. “But even in his final year President Peres spoke compellingly about the future. I don’t think there has been anyone quite like him or anyone who will be like him again.”
During his tenure as Prime Minister and later President of Israel, President Peres worked as an indefatigable voice for peace and reconciliation between the Israelis and the Arab world. He was an architect of the Oslo peace accords, and his pursuit of a peace deal with Palestinians, intercultural reconciliation and economic integration earned him a well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
As the last living member of Israel’s founding generation, Mr. Peres bequeaths a remarkable legacy to the Jewish people and serves as a model for current and future leaders both in Israel and around the globe.
Jewish National Fund issued this statement:
Jewish National Fund mourns the loss of former Israeli President Shimon Peres (z’’l), who passed away in Tel Aviv at the age of 93 surrounded by family and loved ones.
One of the last surviving pillars of Israel’s founding generation, Shimon Peres was born in Poland in 1923, made aliyah in 1934, and was a key figure in the Israeli State’s leadership for more than 50 years. Throughout his life, Peres dedicated himself to ensuring the prosperity and success of the State of Israel as the eternal homeland of the Jewish people. In addition to a distinguished military career, Peres served Israel in many capacities including as a member of the Israeli Knesset, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the first Minister of the Negev and Galil, twice as Prime Minister, and from 2007-2014 as President. In 1994, Peres, along with former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, was awarded the Noble Peace Prize.
To honor former Israeli President Shimon Peres, Jewish National Fund is establishing a forest in Israel in his memory.
Peretz Lavie, president of Technion, issued this statement:
Shimon Peres, the 9th president of the State of Israel, recipient of an honorary doctorate from the Technion and a true friend, passed away this morning. As a visionary, Shimon Peres believed in the power of technology to change human reality. In a letter he sent me in 2013 he wrote that “Technion researchers and scientists, many talented young people among them, contribute to the positioning of Israel as an original and daring global laboratory at the forefront of scientific development worldwide. There is no limit to your breakthrough and innovation. You guarantee the preservation of Israel’s qualitative edge into the future.”
He was a unique person, full of optimism and vision, who believed in the power of science and engineering in advancing humanity towards a better future. He supported the development of research in nanotechnology and laid the cornerstone for the Nanoelctronics Center named after Sarah and Moshe Zisapel at Technion. Nanotechnology Research, which at the time was a new and pioneering field, is today a central field of activity at Technion.
Peres liked visiting the Technion, and was always thrilled by the level of scientific research and technological innovation. A year ago he honored the Technion by participating in the groundbreaking ceremony of Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) in China – an initiative he claimed to be evidence of Israeli innovation and its ability to cross geographical boundaries.
We lost a dear man today, a true friend and mentor. May he be of blessed memory.
The Republican Jewish Coalition issued this statement:
Washington, D.C. – The Republican Jewish Coalition released the following statement in response to the passing of Shimon Peres:
“The RJC notes with sadness the passing of one of Israel’s finest public servants and the longest-serving Member of Knesset, Shimon Peres. From his start as Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, through service as Minister of Transportation, Minister of Finance, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Prime Minister, and finally as President of Israel, Peres’ focus was always on the security and development of the Jewish state.
“Shimon Peres was the last remaining national leader of the generation that founded the State of Israel. He and his comrades, such as Yitzhak Rabin, Yitzhak Shamir, Ariel Sharon, and Ezer Weizman, fought the War of Independence, built the State of Israel, and guided its development into the flourishing modern democracy and regional power that it is today. Peres was a man of vision and a good friend of the United States. May his memory be a blessing.” – Matt Brooks, RJC Executive Director
Congresswoman Ladda Tammy Duckworth of Illinois issued this statement:
“I am saddened by the loss of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who had a been a steadfast champion for his nation’s security as well as for peace in the Middle East for more than 50 years. His humanity and unfailing belief in the the goodness of mankind should inspire us all, and the accomplishments of his long career in public service will not be forgotten; his impact on Israel endures. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones tonight, and I join the entire Israeli community in mourning his passing.”
Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) President Morton A. Klein issued the following statement:
The ZOA sends our sincere condolences to the family of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres on the passing last night of their beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Peres made enormous contributions to rebuilding Israel, from a deserted wasteland into the revitalized Jewish State. In “I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl,” a book of essays edited by Judea and Ruth Pearl (the parents of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was beheaded by Islamist terrorists), Peres eloquently wrote about what being part of the Jewish State’s revival meant to him:
“Despite everything, even this meager wave of immigration [the Aliyah of Jews returning to Israel in 1882-1914] exercised a miracle: For the first time in history, a people who left, or was banished from, their country, was revived and started gathering in the land of their forbears. Never had such an extraordinary event been witnessed until then, nor did it take place since, with any other people.
Peres made enormous contributions to rebuilding Israel, from a deserted wasteland into the revitalized Jewish State.
Eretz Yisrael [the land of Israel] was desolate, devastated, its land reluctant and tired, land with practically no water. Despite the lack of experience, and infertility of the soil, the standard of agriculture that developed in Israel is today perceived by many to be the highest in the world. Not only did the desert bloom, but new and amazing cooperative frameworks were also built . . . .
And as the barren land was tilled, war broke out. Israel was attacked by forces that were far superior – both in numbers and in arms [6 Arab countries] – whereas the barely born state [of Israel] was desperately short of arms, and its army practically nonexistent. The land of the Jews was attacked five times, and all five ended in victory. Once again, a people lacking in military tradition, and in the face of an unequal balance of strategic military power, created an army which, in this case as well, is recognized as one of the best in the world.
I saw the ploughs and I saw the rifles. And nowadays, I see modern microscopes in [Israel’s] universities that shed light on atoms invisible to the naked eye, making it possible to build a whole new world. What could be more fulfilling, more riveting, more just, than to be a part of such a people?”
We are truly grateful for Peres’ extraordinary contributions to Israel’s security, including helping to arm the previously defenseless Jewish people, fathering Israel’s aircraft industry, and serving in numerous government posts.
We also remember the strong disappointment Shimon Peres felt that his vision for peace with the Arabs remained unfulfilled. Peres had hoped and believed that his Oslo Agreement with Yasser Arafat would have finally brought the peace he and all the Jewish people desperately wanted and relentlessly worked for. His hopes were shattered by the continuous refusal by the Palestinian Authority and its people to accept Israel as a Jewish State and their relentless promotion of hatred and violence against Israel and the Jewish people in their media, schools, and speeches.
However, today we applaud and appreciate all of the magnificent achievements of Israel’s great and visionary leader Shimon Peres during his lifetime of service to our people and the Jewish Homeland.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following statement:
Teresa and I join countless friends and admirers around the world in expressing our deep sorrow at the passing of Israeli leader Shimon Peres. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the people of Israel as we mourn the loss of one of the world’s greatest statesmen.
Shimon’s life traced his country’s extraordinary journey. He was one of Israel’s founding patriots. He was an immigrant who went on to cultivate the land and plant the seeds of a modern state. He helped ensure Israel could defend itself in times of war, but was always ready to extend a hand to former adversaries. He dedicated his career to unifying and defending Israel and helping his young nation blossom into a beacon of democracy and prosperity in the Middle East. He embodied the friendship and values that are at the heart of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and stood at the forefront of efforts to forge and sustain the unshakable bonds between our countries.
To the world, he was a figure of towering moral credibility, dedicated to finding the path to peace and security among his neighbors. To everyone he met, he was a person of decency and kindness, who spoke of honor and reconciliation even in times of trouble and strife.
I first met Shimon as a young United States Senator some three decades ago and cherished our many conversations during his service as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in the small private office he used as President, and most recently during the quiet Shabbat dinner we shared soon after his retirement. To the very end, he remained a boundless source of ideas about the future, his focus on finding for the coming generations the peace that had eluded his. He was a great listener who left a legacy of unmatched eloquence. I will never forget sitting near Shimon at the dedication of the William J. Clinton Library, and watching as he scrawled just a few notes on a small piece of paper, before delivering some of the most stirring words about peace that I had ever heard.
Shimon once said that a person’s ultimate goal should be “to find a cause that’s larger than yourself and then to give your life to it.” Shimon embodied this statement. His cause was the independence and security of the State of Israel; his cause was peace for the Jewish people in his community’s ancient homeland; his cause was an Israel that would always be pluralistic, innovative, safe, strong, and free – and he certainly gave every day of his life to that high goal.
Israel lost a founding father; the world lost a warrior for peace and a giant of history; and I, like so many others who had the privilege to know Shimon, lost a dear friend. May his life and legacy continue to inspire everyone who strives for justice and pursues peace. May his memory be a blessing for us all.
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has issued the following statement:
New York, NY September 28, 2016… The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is deeply saddened by the passing of Shimon Peres, Israel’s 9th President, who also served twice as Prime Minister during his distinguished lifelong career of public service to Israel and the Jewish people.
Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of the Conference of Presidents said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Shimon Peres, the last of the generation of founding leaders of Israel, a great friend, staunch supporter and partner in the work of the Conference. His distinguished lifelong career devoted to public service was guided by an unwavering commitment to the ideals of Zionism and an abiding love for the State of Israel and all its people, and for Jews throughout the world.
President Peres was a man of great vision, a pragmatic politician and a skilled statesman, who worked tirelessly to enhance Israel’s security, strengthen its democratic society and promote its standing in the world. He sought peace within and without Israel. His intellect, personality and unswerving pursuit of a better future for Israel and the world, inspired generations of Israelis and many others around the globe, garnering the respect of world leaders until the very end of his life.”
On a short trip to Israel last week, Mr. Hoenlein visited with President Peres in the hospital to bring the prayers and well wishes of the American Jewish Community and met with his son Chemi and son-in-law Dr. Rafi Valdan.
Commenting on the encounter at the hospital, Mr. Hoenlein said, “I am grateful I had the opportunity to be at the hospital and to share memories with Chemi and Rafi. I know so many who wanted to do the same. My relationship with President Peres spanned almost four decades. I cherished his friendship, advice and wisdom. He made certain to brief us on major developments like the London Agreement and Oslo Accords, sometimes even before Israeli officials. President Peres’ many contributions will be a lasting memorial this great leader.”
Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Hoenlein also noted that “President Peres was always available to meet with us and with Conference of Presidents delegations on our many visits to Israel and when he was in the United States. Those countless encounters were lively, illuminating, sometimes provocative and always deepened our connection to Israel and his connection to the American Jewish community.
Today, we join with the family of Shimon Peres, the people of Israel and the international community in mourning his loss. We pray that his memory will be a blessing and will continue to inspire this and future generations.”
Israel Tennis Center Foundation issued this statement:
It is with the deepest sense of loss that we mourn the passing of Shimon Peres, Israel’s longest serving statesman and dear friend of the Israel Tennis Centers. President Peres served with distinction in every possible capacity throughout his distinguished career. ITC founders have had the privilege of working with President Peres through the years, receiving numerous awards and commendations from his administration for the service the ITC provided the children of Israel.
The ITC created its highly successful Twinned Kindergarten Peace Program in partnership with the Peres Peace Center, a leading coexistence organization founded in 1996 by President Peres. Since then, thousands of children, their parents and teachers have all taken part in a variety of activities designed to encourage mutual respect. It is this constant striving for peace and understanding that is Shimon Peres’ lasting legacy, one that the Israel Tennis Centers is proud to embrace as well.
As we celebrate a new year this Rosh Hashanah season, please take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary life of Shimon Peres and the impact he has on the people of Israel and the world. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration to us all as we seek to find meaning in everything we do.