Israel Policy Forum (IPF) issued the following statement by Board Chair Susie Gelman:
“Israel Policy Forum deeply mourns the death of Shimon Peres, z“l, the last of Israel’s founding fathers and a true giant of the Jewish State.
Over his long and distinguished career, Mr. Peres held nearly every position of importance in the Israeli government, serving as president, prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister, finance minister, and leader of the opposition, among other roles. He was Israel’s face to the world for much of his adult life and a tireless champion of the pursuit of peace and the two-state solution, winning a Nobel Prize for his role in advancing the Oslo Accords. He was a true visionary as well, responsible for some of Israel’s most important achievements, from its nuclear capability to the development of nanotechnology to the initiation of the peace process, and there are few if any Israeli diplomatic policies over the past half century in which he was not significantly involved.
Above all, Shimon Peres was a man of principle who constantly strove to secure Israel’s place in the world and make Israel the best version of itself. As Israel’s president, he embodied his country’s aspirations to be a light unto the nations, always expressing the highest ideals of morality, integrity, and inclusivity. His passing is a great loss not only for Israel but for the entire Jewish people and the world at large. He will be sorely missed.
May Shimon Peres’ memory truly be for a blessing.”
