‘Peace is not perfect’: Israel’s elder statesman Shimon Peres’ words of wisdom

“Relax! Sit down,” Israel’s most beloved public figure commanded, gesturing with his hands for his guests to resume their seats and a long conversation about life and hope and dreams.

“If your dreams exceed the number of your achievements, you’re young,” said Shimon Peres, then 93, with the optimism and wide-eyed wonder of a child.

It was July 27 and I was among a group of Australian journalists on the final stop of a week-long study tour. Our time would be short, his minder told us, suggesting maybe one or two questions might be possible, but no more.

But Peres, who died on Wednesday in Israel, two weeks after suffering a stroke, was in no mood to be rushed. Three times, he waved the minder away and invited us to stay and keep probing. “Peace is not perfect,” he quipped. “It’s perfect when you compare it to war.”

Read the article by Michael Gordon in The Age.