'He epitomised optimism': World leaders pay tribute to Shimon Peres
Eulogies have poured in from around the globe for Shimon Peres, the former Israeli president, who died early this morning.
Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, called Mr Peres's death "a great loss for humanity and peace in the region".
Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of the Labour party, tweeted: “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.”
US President Barack Obama said a light had gone, “but the hope he gave us will burn forever.”
He added that Mr 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. ”
UK Prime Minister Theresa May called Mr Peres "a visionary and courageous statesman, who worked relentlessly for peace and never lost hope that this would one day be achievable".
She added: “My thoughts go out to the Israeli people and the family of Shimon Peres as they mourn the loss of a beloved father and compatriot – a great man who epitomised optimism and a belief that by working together we can build a brighter future for generations to come.”
Former President Bill Clinton said he would miss his "brilliant and eloquent friend", adding, "His life was a blessing to all who strive for peace.”
Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, said he was "deeply saddened to hear of the death of one of the great leaders of our time.
"He was a man of action but also one of peace and we should remember his tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace for the Middle East."
He was a towering figure on the Israeli centre-Left and served several short terms as prime minister before being elected to the largely-ceremonial role of president from 2007 until 2014.
But he is best known for his work as Israel’s foreign minister during the negotiation of the Oslo Accords, the 1993 Israeli-Palestinian agreement that many hoped would bring an end to decades of conflict.
Mr Peres was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his work on the deal, sharing the honour with Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli prime minister, and Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader and chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation.
Nevertheless, Mr Peres remained an optimist and throughout his seven years as president he continued to call for a two-state solution even as many Israelis soured on the idea.
“There is no other solution,” he said in 2013. “Peace for Israel is not just a strategic choice. It is a moral call which stems from the depth of our heritage."
SHIMON PERES 1923-2016
POSSIBLY THE GREATEST STATESMAN OF OUR TIME
Today, we bow our heads and pay our respects for a great Israeli leader and Founding Father, Shimon Peres. He devoted his life to serving the State of Israel as a Defense Minister, President, and Prime Minister. A beloved icon of Israeli history, a champion of peace and progress, may his memory be a blessing.
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