Obama praised Peres as a close friend in Obituary

U.S President Barack Obama eulogises former Israeli President Shimon Peres as his flag-draped coffin is seen nearby, during his funeral ceremony at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

President Barack Obama praised Shimon Peres as a close friend when he spoke of the peace Laureate’s funeral in Jerusalem Friday.

Obama began his obituary by referring to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ participation.  He reminded that the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians has not been completed.

– The Jewish people were never born to rule over others, said Peres. He found room in his heart for others who suffered. Even when faced with terrorist attacks and repeated disappointments at the negotiating table, he insisted that Palestinians must be seen as equals with Jews and that they therefore have an equal right to self-determination, said Obama in the obituary.

Obama praised Peres for his central role in efforts to make Israel one of the formidable military powers and stressed that the US will always be a close ally of the country.

– In many ways he reminds me of some of the other giants of the 20th century that I have had the honor of meeting, Obama said, and pulled Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth as examples.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

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