WJC mourns ‘the moral compass of Israel’

In Ukraine, WJC President Ron Lauder pays tribute to Shimon Peres at a press conference for the memorial events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Babi Yar massacres.

“Today Israel has lost one its founding fathers. In many ways Shimon Peres was the moral compass of Israel; he believed very strongly in the State of Israel and what it symbolized. Born in Poland and coming to Israel as a young man, he understood what Israel symbolized to the Jewish people. That it is our homeland, a place that we all feel very close to. Peres believed two things; that Israel should be strong and protect itself, and also firmly believed in a two-state solution.

“He did not see his dream of a two-state solution [come to fruition], but he did see his dream of a strong Israel, a place where Jews all around the world call their home.”

“We mourn his passing, and remember his teaching.”

— Tamar Pileggi