Shimon Peres appoints Israeli soccer star Eran Zahavi as ambassador for peace

Former president Shimon Peres appoints Israeli soccer star Eran Zahavi as “Ambassador for Peace” on Zahavi’s first trip back from China after joining the Gwangju RP China football team last month.

The honor was given “in recognition of the importance of promoting peace and tolerance through football, as well as Zahavi’s role in serving as an example and role model for hundreds of thousands of young Israeli and Chinese, Arab and Jewish children,” a statement says.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Peres Center for Peace in Jaffa and attended by Chinese Ambassador to Israel Zhan Yongxin, Peres addressed the importance of sports to promote peace.

“Football is an international language. It does not matter if you speak Hebrew, Arabic or Chinese; everyone has a place on the court. I believe that the children here today who are playing together will lead the advancement of peace,” he said.