Stars, CEO and Streisand mourn ‘symbol of peace’ Peres online
Former president, known for being chummy with celebs and tech moguls, remembered by everyone from Madonna to Tim Cook
Stuart Winer is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.
The death of former president Shimon Peres has drawn an outpouring of tributes and eulogies from celebrities around the globe, who described their personal affection for him and his iconic drive for peace.
Singer Madonna, in a message posted Thursday on her social media accounts, wrote that Peres was “a symbol of peace.”
“In Memory of this remarkable Human Being, Shimon Peres,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself with the Israeli statesman. “A symbol of Peace not only for Israel but for the middle East and the rest of the world! God Bless You.”
Peres, 93, who served as Israel’s ninth president, died early Wednesday morning, two weeks after suffering a serious stroke. Some 80 foreign leaders, ministers, diplomats and dignitaries are expected to attend his funeral on Friday in Jerusalem.
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A consummate politician, Peres transitioned in his later years into a beloved Israeli symbol at home and abroad, becoming a chummy grandfatherly figure to movie stars and tech moguls alike.
His 90th birthday bash in Tel Aviv drew an A-list of Hollywood stars and foreign dignitaries, including Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Naomi Campbell and former US president Bill Clinton.
Streisand wrote a post on her personal webpage lamenting Peres’s passing.
“My heart is bleeding…my tears are falling…because President Shimon Peres is no longer in this world. He was a father figure not only to his beloved country of Israel, but also to me, because he was what I imagined my father would have been like.”
“Shimon’s mind was expansive and his heart was compassionate. He was a brilliant statesman, gifted with the ability to listen to others who did not share his views and still remained determined to find a path forward.
“He was a voice of reason who also happened to have the sensibility of a poet…thoughtful and soft-spoken, but his words echoed loudly around the world.”
“I adored Shimon…and I’m so grateful that I was able to spend some time with him over the years, and sing for him at his 90th birthday celebration in Israel.”
Singer and television presenter Paula Abdul sent her condolences in a Twitter message.
“Shimon Peres’ warmth and kindness moves my heart to this day. To his family I send my most heartfelt condolences. My heart aches for you all.”
Recalling Peres in a Twitter message talk, show host Larry King said he was “honored to interview him several times.”
“Fmr. Israeli Pres. Shimon Peres was a remarkable man,” he wrote. “My thoughts are with his family & Israel.”
Actress and movie producer Sharon Stone, who was a personal friend of Peres, wrote the simple salutation “Godspeed friend” together with a broken heart icon.
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Fellow actor Jason Alexander, of “Seinfeld” fame, tweeted: “Shimon Peres was among the most beautiful souls I have ever had the honor and joy to meet. May [he] rest in bliss eternally.”
Joshua Malina, who played in “The West Wing” and “Scandal,” wrote on his Twitter feed “Alav hashalom,” an English transliteration of the Hebrew phrase “of blessed memory.”
Stand-up comic and talk show host Chelsea Handler quoted Peres in a Twitter message, writing “Walls are meant to come down.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook also marked the occasion, tweeting “Condolences to the people of Israel on the passing of Shimon Peres, a true visionary whose efforts for peace will never be forgotten.”
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