Labor expresses our deep sadness at the passing of Shimon Peres.
The Nobel Peace laureate and former Israeli President and Prime Minister was a towering figure in both the 20th and 21st centuries, with an unwavering commitment to both Israel’s security, and peace in the Middle East.
Peres was present at the birth of Israel, and his death marks the passing of the last of the founders of the modern Israeli state.
He fought for the creation of Israel, and in a 65 year career of service occupied almost every significant position in Israeli political life including Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, President, and as a member of the Knesset for nearly 50 years.
Despite his early deep reservations about compromise with the Palestinians, Peres came to lead the search for a permanent and peaceful solution which would guarantee Israel’s future behind safe and secure borders.
This culminated in him being jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for negotiating the Oslo accords.
Sadly, the promise of that agreement is still to be fulfilled but Peres never gave up his quest for peace in the Middle East.
Today Labor pays tribute to the memory of a great man. We salute his legacy, modern Israel. We honour his life, lived for peace
WEDNESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2016
