World leaders have hailed the vision
of the late Israeli leader, Shimon Peres, as he is laid to rest three
days after he died at the age of 93.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as "a great man of the world", as he led the eulogies.A large number of foreign dignitaries, including Barack Obama and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, are attending the state funeral in Jerusalem.
A security crackdown ahead of the ceremony led to several arrests.
In an emotional address, Mr Netanyahu said that while Israel and the world grieves for Mr Peres there was hope in his legacy.
"Shimon lived a life of purpose," he told the dozens of foreign dignitaries gathered at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery.
"He soared to incredible heights. He swept so many with his vision and his hope. He was a great man of Israel. He was a great man of the world."
'Biggest dreamer'
Former US President Bill Clinton, who helped negotiate the Oslo peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians in the 1990s that led to a Nobel Peace Prize for Shimon Peres, said he was Israel's "biggest dreamer"."He imagined all the things the rest of us could do. He started life as Israel's brightest student, became its best teacher and ended up its biggest dreamer.''
US President Barack Obama is also among the speakers at the ceremony, along with Mr Peres' three children.
Post a Comment