Israel president Reuven Rivlin at the casket bearing the remains of his predecessor, Shimon Peres. (Photo by Hillel Maier)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cYou had the rare ability Shimon, to conceive what seemed to be the inconceivable, and see it to fruition. Your eyes saw far ahead, while your feet covered great distances on the landscape of Jewish and Zionist history. You always walked onward and upward, as a skilled mountaineer who secures his hook before ascending ever higher to the peak. This is how you lived your life. At first you would dream, and only when in your mind\u2019s eye could you truly see the State of Israel reaching new heights, would you then begin to climb, and take us all with you towards the new goal,\u201d Rivlin said.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called Peres \u201cone of the greatest leaders our people have ever known,\u201d and continued in English. Netanyahu said the presence of world leaders was a testament to his optimism, his quest for peace and his love of Israel.<\/p>\n
Speaking in English, Netanyahu thanked Presidents Obama and Clinton, Prince Charles and others for the honor they showed for Peres. \u201cThe people of Israel deeply appreciate the honor you have shown Shimon, and the state to which he dedicated his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cShimon\u00a0lived a life of purpose- swept with vision and hope. He was a great man of Israel, a great man of the world. Israel grieves for him, the world grieves for him. But we find hope in\u00a0his legacy, as does the world,\u201d Netanyahu said.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu also spoke about Peres\u2019 eulogy for Yoni Netanyahu, the prime minister\u2019s older brother who died during an IDF mission to rescue dozens of Jewish hostages from Entebbe, Uganda in July, 1976.\u00a0\u00a0Netanyahu noted that as defense minister Peres gave the order for that mission, and noted that\u00a0Peres\u2019 words to the family at the funeral created a deep connection between the two men that never broke.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if we didn\u2019t agree on many issues, our differences didn\u2019t affect the deep friendship and admiration we shared,\u201d Netanyahu said.<\/p>\n
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton\u00a0 said he was always in awe of Peres\u2019\u00a0capacity to move past challenges, and spoke about what he meant to someone who was not a citizen of this country. \u00a0He referred to Peres as \u201cour complicated, brilliant friend,\u201d and added that admiration for Peres has spread throughout the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are young people now throughout the region trying to break their mental and material chains, thanks in no small part to the inspiration [Peres]\u00a0provided,\u201d Clinton said.<\/p>\n
Current US President Barack Obama\u00a0was the only speaker to mention Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas, adding a prodding note to Netanyahu, with whom the president has had a fractured relationship, that Abbas\u2019 presence was a reminder of \u201cunfinished business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peres \u201cshowed us that justice and hope at heart of the Zionist idea,\u201d said Obama. \u201cA free life in a homeland regained. A secure life in a nation that can defend itself, by itself. A full life, with nations that can counted on as allies.<\/p>\n
Obama added Peres\u2019 belief that\u00a0of Judaism can be summed up as \u2018faith and moral vision can triumph over all adversity.\u2019<\/p>\n
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