Shimon Peres ‘worked tirelessly for Israel,’ says his son
Chemi Peres speaks of his father’s love for the people of Israel, and his life’s work for peace and a better tomorrow
Shimon Peres, the last of Israel’s founding fathers, who died early Wednesday morning at around 3 a.m. local time at the age of 93, was praised by his son Chemi in an emotional tribute.
Speaking at Sheba Medical Center, where his father had been hospitalized since suffering a major stroke on September 13, the younger Peres spoke of the family’s loss.
“Today, with deep sorrow, we bid farewell to our beloved father, the ninth president of Israel, Shimon Peres,” he said.
He spoke of his father’s lifelong service and dedication to his country.
“He was one of the founding fathers of the State of Israel and served our people before we even had a country of our own,” he said. “He worked tirelessly for Israel from the first day of the state to the last day of his life.
“Throughout his 70 years of public service he was committed and devoted to Israel, serving as president, prime minister, defense minister and many other key positions, which shaped our history.”
Peres’s life was one of complete love for the people of Israel, his son said.
“My father used to say, ‘You are only as great as the cause you serve.’ He had no interest other than serving the people of Israel, in whom he had great faith and whom he loved dearly, until his final breath.”
Chemi Peres also thanked the medical staff and expressed thanks for the messages of support over the past two weeks while his father was in the hospital. “You enveloped our father in love, and we know how much he loved you,” he said.
He ended by summarizing his father’s legacy as working to build a better future. “Look to tomorrow, he taught us, build Israel’s future with courage and with wisdom and always continue to strive for peace.
“We were privileged to have been part of his private family. But today, we sense that the entire nation of Israel and the global community mourn this great loss. We share this pain together,” he concluded.
Rafi Walden, Shimon Peres’s son-in-law and personal physician, spoke of his admiration for the statesman and the awe in which he was held by world leaders.
“During his meetings around the world we were amazed, time and again, to see world leaders standing before him like students before a rabbi, eager to hear his wisdom,” Walden said. “Just an hour ago we had a conversation with President Obama, who talked to my wife, Tsvia, expressing his great admiration for Peres and his condolences to the family.”
Obama will be among the many world leaders and other dignitaries to fly to Israel for the funeral.
Peres will be buried on Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem on Friday. His body will lie in state in the Knesset from Thursday morning until Friday. Authorities were working to facilitate the attendance of the huge numbers of people expected to pay their final respects to the former president.
