Cabinet, in special session, honors Peres with moment of silence
Netanyahu highlights late president’s ceaseless yearning for peace, ‘central role’ in launching Operation Entebbe
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleRaphael Ahren is a former diplomatic correspondent at The Times of Israel.
The cabinet on Wednesday morning convened a special mourning session in honor of former prime minister and former president Shimon Peres, hailing his many achievements.
“This is the first day in the State of Israel without Shimon Peres, of blessed memory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after a moment of silence.
Netanyahu hailed Peres as one of Israel’s founding fathers who made tremendous contributions to the country’s security and prosperity.
“In the name of the entire Jewish people, in the name of the citizens and government of the State of Israel, I also send deep condolences to Shimon’s family,” he said.
The prime minister went on to elaborate on the late president’s many accomplishments on behalf of the State of Israel, adding that he worked tirelessly to advance the Jewish state’s security in open as well as covert ways.
Netanyahu emphasized Peres’s “central role” in the government decision in 1976 to launch a daunting operation to liberate Israeli hostages in Entebbe, Uganda. Peres was defense minister at the time. Netanyahu’s brother Yonatan died during the legendary rescue operation.
“Besides all his actions for the benefit of our security, Shimon Peres did not cease to pursue peace and to believe in peace,” Netanyahu said. “His hand was always outstretched toward a historic reconciliation with our neighbors and also if this reconciliation remains elusive, he taught us not to give into despair but to remain hopeful.”
PM @netanyahu's full statement on Shimon Peres at a special cabinet meeting to mourn his passing pic.twitter.com/N4Lg0Uxetz
— Raoul Wootliff (@RaoulWootliff) September 28, 2016
After the cabinet meeting, the Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies, chaired by Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev, was set to convene to discuss the organization of Peres’s funeral.
Peres will be laid to rest on Friday at 11 a.m. Many world leaders are expected to attend the funeral, including US President Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Prince Charles, the leaders of France, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Togo, Australia and many other countries.
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