Obama at Peres' Funeral: Peres Wanted No Jewish Dominance Over Another Nation

The President of the United States emphasized Peres' role in establishing a democratic and secure country for Jews during Shimon Peres' funeral, but added that he wanted no Jewish dominance over another nation and tirelessly worked to achieve this goal. The funeral ceremony for Shimon Peres, a prominent Israeli politician and a member of the 'founding fathers' of the country, was held on Friday, October 1, at the 'Tomb of the Greats of the Jews' in Jerusalem, attended by dozens of world leaders. Shimon Peres passed away on Wednesday, September 28, at the age of 93, two weeks after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Until two years ago, he was the President of Israel; he served as Prime Minister twice and held various ministerial positions during his over fifty years in the Knesset. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, and Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, were among the attendees at Peres' funeral. Presidents from nearly all European countries, presidents from other countries including those from Africa, and prime ministers from over a hundred countries, along with senior delegations from their royal families, attended Shimon Peres' funeral in Israel. The Vatican also announced that Pope Francis was deeply saddened by Peres' passing and emphasized that 'the world will be a little darker without his light,' but the Vatican will follow the ceremony. Bill Clinton, the former President of the United States, who oversaw the signing of the 1993 peace agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization during his presidency, spoke about Shimon Peres' life and efforts. Mr. Clinton, recognized as Peres' closest friend in America, emphasized Peres' 'dream' for a new Middle East. Barack Obama, who arrived in Jerusalem at the head of a delegation of 33 current and former senior U.S. officials just hours before the ceremony, said in his speech: 'I have come to say goodbye to my friend, Shimon.' Barack Obama stated: 'Peres' relentless pursuit of peace was never naive, contrary to what he was accused of.' Obama remarked: 'Shimon Peres' life was the story of a man who never lost hope for peace and a better world.' Mr. Obama, donning a 'kippa', a Jewish religious head covering, used the phrase from Moses, 'You have chosen life.' Obama also said in Hebrew: 'My close friend, I was grateful for your friendship; goodbye.' Amos Oz, a leftist Israeli writer and opponent of occupation who was a close friend of Peres, spoke more explicitly than other speakers about Peres' efforts to have a democratic country free from occupation. Reuven Rivlin, the President of Israel, stated at the ceremony that with Peres' death, 'a chapter of this nation's life has closed.' Benjamin Netanyahu also remarked that 'Peres and I had transformed from political rivals to close friends.' After Obama's speech, Shimon Peres' coffin was carried towards the grave while world leaders accompanied it. According to Jewish tradition, the body was removed from the coffin and placed in the grave, and for a long time, soil was poured over it in front of the global leaders. For the past two decades, Peres' burial site has been determined to be to the right of the grave of Yitzhak Rabin, his long-time political rival who was assassinated 21 years ago. Prior to this ceremony, the presence of dozens of world leaders at a significant event in Israel was during Rabin's funeral in 1995. The most important part of the global leaders' presence at this ceremony was the handshake between Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas. Mr. Netanyahu invited Abu Mazen to his home, saying: 'Let us talk.' Abu Mazen responded: 'We have been waiting for a long time (to renew peace talks).' However, analysts in Israeli media have stated that it is unclear whether this handshake and the exchange of a few words between Netanyahu and Abu Mazen will lead to a real transformation in the resumption of stagnant Israeli-Palestinian political talks.