Shimon Peres was laid to rest last night in a ceremony attended by thousands of admirers and dozens of international dignitaries — in a final tribute to a man who personified the history of Israel during a seven-decade political career and who came to be seen by many as a potent symbol of hopes of Middle East peace.
US President Barack Obama, former president Bill Clinton and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas headlined a long list of world leaders who converged on Israel’s national cemetery, Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, for the event. In a nod to the Palestinian leader, Mr Abbas sat in the front row at the memorial service.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the gathering of world leaders was a testament to Peres’ optimism, quest for peace and love for Israel.
“He was a great man of Israel. He was a great man of the world. Israel grieves for him. The world grieves for him,” Mr Netanyahu said.
Read the article in The Australian (AP,AAP).