01 October,2016 01:39 PM IST | | Agencies
In a touching eulogy, US prez says Peres’ life spanned such epics that he didn’t need to posture
President Barack Obama touches the coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres after delivering his eulogy at his funeral on Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on Friday. Pic/AP
Jerusalem: US President Barack Obama paid tribute to former Israeli president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, as he delivered his eulogy wearing a Jewish skullcap, yarmulke, at the funeral held in Jerusalem yesterday.
"In many ways, he reminded me of some other giants of the 20th century that I've had the honour to meet," Obama told mourners, comparing Peres to Mandela and Elizabeth.
These are "leaders who have seen so much, whose lives span such... epics, that they see no need to posture or traffic in what's popular in the moment. People who speak in depth and knowledge, not in soundbytes," he said at the funeral attended by world leaders at Mount Herzl cemetery.
Obama, who awarded Peres the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, said the Israeli leader showed the world that justice and hope are at the heart of the Zionist idea.
"A free life in homeland regained, a secure life of a nation that can defend itself, a full life of a friendship with nations who can be counted on as allies, always. This was Shimon Peres' life. This is the state of Israel," he said. Obama also touched upon the issue of Palestinian statehood, saying Peres saw the need for it and the presence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the ceremony "is a gesture and a reminder of the unfinished business of peace".
Peres died Tuesday while hospitalised for a major stroke. He was 93.
