Former Israeli President dies at 93
What's the story
One of Israel's most influential leaders, Shimon Peres, died on 28th September 2016 at the age of 93. His death came after he suffered from a heart stroke on 13th September; doctors put him in a state of induced coma. A day before his death, doctors said his condition was irreversible. Surrounded by family, he died at the Tel Hashomer Hospital, Israel.
Background
About Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres was an Israeli statesman born in Poland. He served Israel as the ninth President from years 2007 to 2014. In a political career that spanned 66 years, Peres held 12 cabinet positions. He served as the Prime Minister and Interim Prime Minister of Israel two times each. Peres enjoyed poetry in private, and some of his poems were even turned into songs.
Early 1950s
An asset to the military
In the year 1952, Peres was serving as the Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Defense in Israel. At the age of 29, he became the youngest person to be appointed as Director-General. It was Peres who made it possible for Israel to acquire the French jet fighter, Dassault Mirage and to be a part of a tri-national agreement with France and UK.
Oslo Accords
A stepping stone towards peace
Shimon Peres started a peace process in order to help Israel find acceptance in regions of hostility. In 1993, he initiated a plan with the Palestine Liberation Organization "to fulfill the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination." This plan came to be known as the Oslo Accords and was signed on 13th September, 2016, when Mr. Peres was the Foreign Minister of Israel.
Personal
Nobel Peace Prize
Mr. Peres was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 1994; he shares this with Yitzhak Rabin and Yassir Arafat for the Oslo Accords.
Titles
Acknowledgements received by Mr. Peres
In the year 2008, Shimon Peres was appointed as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from United States President Barack Obama in June 2012. On 19th May, 2014, Peres was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the bill of which stated, "Congress proclaims its unbreakable bond with Israel."
Reactions
Mourning Shimon Peres's demise
Candian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: Shimon Peres was, above all, a man of peace. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and to the people of Israel on his passing. President Obama released a statement from the White House, mourning the death of his "dear friend Shimon Peres." Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted saying that he was "pained by his (Peres's) demise."