advertisement

Peres, remembered for tireless peace efforts, laid to rest

JERUSALEM (AP) - Shimon Peres was laid to rest Friday by dozens of world leaders who praised Israel's former president and prime minister for pursuing peace with an indefatigable spirit and optimism, even though his vision of a "new Middle East" was never fulfilled.

At a high-powered funeral befitting the globe-trotting Peres, speakers including President Barack Obama recalled a seven-decade political career that personified the history of Israel by building its military while also pushing it toward peace.

"He knew better than the cynic that if you look out over the arc of history, human beings should be filled not with fear but with hope," Obama told the mourners, made up of delegations from 70 countries - an assembly of dignitaries unlikely to be seen in Israel again.

"We gather here today with the knowledge that Shimon never saw his dream of peace fulfilled," he added. "The region is going through a chaotic time. Threats are forever present. And yet, he did not stop dreaming and he did not stop working."

Peres, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 with former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, died Wednesday at age 93.

Among the mourners were French President Francois Hollande, Britain's Prince Charles, German President Joachim Gauck and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Despite the stalemate in peace talks, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sat in the front row alongside other world leaders. Representatives from Egypt and Jordan also were present.

Obama described the unlikely friendship he forged with Peres, given their vastly different backgrounds, and he likened him to South Africa's Nelson Mandela.

"It was so surprising to see the two of us, where we had started, talking together in the White House, meeting here in Israel," Obama said. "I think both of us understood that we were here only because in some way we reflected the magnificent story of our nations."

He ended his comments by saying in Hebrew, "Toda rabah haver yakar," - "Thank you so much, dear friend."

The gesture evoked one made by former President Bill Clinton 21 years ago, when he eulogized Rabin, who was killed by a Jewish nationalist. Clinton said, "Shalom haver," or "Goodbye, my friend."

Clinton was president when Peres negotiated a historic interim peace accord with the Palestinians in 1993. In his remarks Friday, he said Peres "started life as Israel's brightest student, became its best teacher and ended up its biggest dreamer."

The ceremony was Israel's largest gathering of international dignitaries since Rabin's funeral, and was one of the most complicated logistical and security operations ever undertaken. It required closing the main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and deploying thousands of security forces.

Peres led Israel through some of its most defining moments: creating what is believed to be a nuclear arsenal in the 1950s; disentangling its troops from Lebanon and rescuing its economy from triple-digit inflation in the 1980s; and guiding a skeptical nation into peace talks with the Palestinians in the 1990s.

A protege of David Ben-Gurion, Israel's founding father and first prime minister, Peres served in parliament for nearly half a century, held every major Cabinet post, including defense, finance and foreign affairs, and served three brief stints as prime minister. He was the country's elder statesman as its ceremonial president between 2007 and 2014.

He also created his non-governmental Peres Center for Peace, which raised funds and ran programs for cooperation and development projects involving Israel, the Palestinians and Arab nations. He was a proponent of Israeli technology and innovation, and gained international recognition for preaching peace and coexistence.

With his passing, Israel lost its final link to its founding generation, giving the funeral a sense of the end of an era.

"I was fortunate to look up to you as a partner in the building of the State of Israel from its very foundations," said Reuven Rivlin, his successor as president. "You strived until your final breaths to reach the pinnacle of the Zionist dream: an independent, sovereign state, existing in peace with our neighbors."

Netanyahu said he was a fierce political rival of Peres, Israel's leading dove, and that the two had vastly different world views.

But he said that never got in the way of a strong personal relationship built since 1976, when Peres, as defense minister, ordered a hostage rescue mission in Entebbe, Uganda, in which Netanyahu's older brother, Yoni, was killed.

"I loved you. We all loved you. Farewell, Shimon. Dear man. Great leader," an emotional Netanyahu said.

Peres' son, Chemi, and his devoted staff of assistant broke down in tears during a performance of the prayer "Avinu Malkeinu," or "Our Father, Our King." Jews sing the prayer on the Day of Atonement, which falls this year in mid-October, and Peres had requested singer David D'or perform it at his funeral.

Thousands of mourners viewed Peres' casket Thursday outside the parliament building. Early Friday, an honor guard escorted the flag-draped casket, along with Peres' family, on the short route to the cemetery.

Following the eulogies, eight members of an honor guard carried the casket to the gravesite. Netanyahu and Obama chatted along the way, also speaking to Peres' family.

The coffin was lowered into a plot alongside two other prime ministers, Rabin and Yitzhak Shamir.

Soldiers passed bags of dirt to cover the casket, and a military cantor recited the prayer for the dead. Then it was covered in wreaths.

Peres' daughter, Tzvia Walden, recounted her father's boundless energy, his persistent pursuit of peace and his refusal to retire, even his in 90s.

"My father, you were a lover of life, who sprung like a lion at daybreak to fulfill his mission," she said. "For so long, I tried to catch up with you. But now, heed my loving words. You have earned a well-deserved rest."

___

Associated Press writer Josef Federman contributed.

___

Follow Heller at www.twitter.com/aronhellerap

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin passes the flag-draped coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres after speeching during his funeral at the Mount Herzel national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) The Associated Press
French President Francois Hollande, center, arrives for the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Francois Hollande, German President Joachim Gauck and scores of other world leaders are attending the funeral. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli President President Reuven Rivlin, left, walks with the King of Spain Felipe IV upon the latter's arrival at the presidential compound in Jerusalem on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Francois Hollande, German President Joachim Gauck and scores of other world leaders are attending the funeral. (Gali Tibbon/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, sits alongside European Council President Donald Tusk, left, as they attend the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, 93, on Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands at the casket of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during a memorial service at Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Peres died early Wednesday from complications from a stroke. He was 93. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The Associated Press
Israeli soldiers stand with wreaths as the funeral of former Israeli President, Shimon Peres, 93, gets underway. on Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks from the stage past the casket of former Israeli President Shimon Peres after speaking during a memorial service at Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Peres died early Wednesday from complications from a stroke. He was 93. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The Associated Press
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speeches during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at the Mount Herzel national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) The Associated Press
US President Barack Obama stands alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center right, as Israeli military pass by with wreaths of flowers during the funeral of former Israeli President, Shimon Peres, 93, on Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. At right is Spain's King Felipe VI next to Israeli President Rueven Rivlin, and at left is Canadian Prime MinistercJustin Trudeau. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli President President Reuven Rivlin, left, meets with the King of Spain Felipe IV at the presidential compound in Jerusalem on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Francois Hollande, German President Joachim Gauck and scores of other world leaders are attending the funeral. (Gali Tibbon/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speeches during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at the Mount Herzel national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) The Associated Press
US President Barack Obama stands alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center right, as Israeli military pass by with wreaths of flowers during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, 93, on Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. At right is Spain's King Felipe VI. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Chemi Peres, son of former Irsaeli President Shimon Peres, hugs U.S. President Barack Obama during the funeral of his father at the Mount Herzel national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) The Associated Press
Britain's Prince Charles, center, is seen upon his arrival to Mount Herzl Cemetery arrives for the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Francois Hollande, German President Joachim Gauck and scores of other world leaders are attending the funeral. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
Chemi Peres, son of former Irsaeli President Shimon Peres, hugs U.S. President Barack Obama during the funeral of his father at the Mount Herzel national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) The Associated Press
Security guards patrol ahead of the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Francois Hollande, German President Joachim Gauck and scores of other world leaders are attending the funeral. (Menahem Kahana/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, center, arrives for the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Francois Hollande, German President Joachim Gauck and scores of other world leaders are attending the funeral. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
US President Barack Obama sits alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Peres died on 28 September at the age of 93. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Left to right: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin , US President Barack Obama , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara , former US president Bill Clinton sit during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Peres died on 28 September at the age of 93. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Left to right: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin , US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Peres died on 28 September at the age of 93. (Abir Sultan, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama looks at the coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during his funeral, at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Abir Sultan/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
A man pays his respects at the grave of former Israeli President Shimon Peres after his funeral at the Mount Herzel national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Shimon Peres was being laid to rest on Friday in a ceremony attended by thousands of admirers and dozens of international dignitaries - in a final tribute to a man who personified the history of Israel during a remarkable seven-decade political career and who came to be seen by many as a visionary and symbol of hopes of Mideast peace. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his eulogy of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during his funeral, at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Abir Sultan/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his eulogy of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during his funeral, at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Abir Sultan/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his eulogy of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during his funeral, at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Abir Sultan/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
Yael Pedazur, who works at the Peres Center for Peace, mourns besides grave of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during the burial ceremony at his funeral at Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Ronen Zvulun, pool via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, right, shakes hands with Britain's Prince Charles following the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, at the presidential compound in Jerusalem on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Gali Tibbon, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, right, meets with Britain's Prince Charles following the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, at the presidential compound in Jerusalem on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Gali Tibbon, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, left, meets with Britain's Prince Charles following the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, at the presidential compound in Jerusalem on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Gali Tibbon, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu observes a moment of silence after laying a wreath near the grave of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during the burial ceremony at Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem September 30, 2016. Shimon Peres was being laid to rest on Friday in a ceremony attended by thousands of admirers and dozens of international dignitaries - in a final tribute to a man who personified the history of Israel during a remarkable seven-decade political career and who came to be seen by many as a visionary and symbol of hopes of Mideast peace. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton attends the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Shimon Peres was being laid to rest on Friday in a ceremony attended by thousands of admirers and dozens of international dignitaries - in a final tribute to a man who personified the history of Israel during a remarkable seven-decade political career and who came to be seen by many as a potent symbol of hopes of Mideast peace. (Ronen Zvulun, pool via AP) The Associated Press
U.S. President Barack Obama, left, speaks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the burial ceremony of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Shimon Peres was being laid to rest on Friday in a ceremony attended by thousands of admirers and dozens of international dignitaries - in a final tribute to a man who personified the history of Israel during a remarkable seven-decade political career and who came to be seen by many as a visionary and symbol of hopes of Mideast peace. (Ronen Zvulun, Pool photo via AP) The Associated Press
US President Barack Obama, right, speaks with Israeli co-leader of the Zionist Union party, Labour Party's leader and head of the opposition, Isaac Herzog, front, and his wife Michal as Israeli President Reuvin Rivlin looks on during the funeral of former Israeli president and prime minister Shimon Peres at the Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Menahem Kahana, Pool via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.