The state ceremony marking eight years since the death of Shimon Peres was held yesterday at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl, the memorial complex and cemetery where Israeli statesmen and fallen soldiers are buried.

Delegation of the Institute for Politics and Economics of Southeast Europe (IPESE) was present at the ceremony, along with the dignitaries from all over the world who gathered at this place. President Isaac Herzog attended the commemoration on behalf of the State of Israel.

In his speech, President Herzog indirectly referred to the ongoing national and security challenges facing the country, underlining the importance of unity and decisive leadership through the uncertainty of the times in which we live.

He quoted the Psalms, and pointed out that Israel has to ‘’to act more vigorously, immediately, with critical urgency to save our brothers and sisters who are trapped in the ‘Valley of the Shadow of Death.’’

With the special approval of Peres’ family, Liat Atzili, one of the freed hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the attacks that took place on October 7, also addressed the crowd.

Atzili, who lost family members in the attacks, gave an emotional speech in which she specifically referred to the contrast between the legacy of peace that Peres left behind and the reality that the Jewish people live today:

”I can’t imagine what you would say, if you had been here with us on the morning of October 7, when terrorists occupied dozens and villages and kibbutzim that you knew so well… They murdered, raped, looted and burned, and carried out a pogrom — here in the State of Israel, the state that was established to be a safe haven for the Jewish people.”

The legacy of Shimon Peres is one of peace and progress, and today it is perhaps more important than ever that it not be forgotten. Peres has worked tirelessly to encourage dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, convinced that peace can be built on a foundation of negotiation and cooperation. Peace and cooperation remained the cornerstone of his political philosophy, influencing generations of leaders to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts.

Chemi Peres, son of the ninth President of Israel and director of the Peres Center for Innovation and Peace, which preserves the memory of the work of Shimon Peres and continues along the path of his vision, specifically referred to the need for leaders who are determined to build peace where it is hard to find:

“Eight years have passed since we said goodbye to my father. Today, we feel his absence all over our country, and beyond. Many are wondering what you would say about the current situation. More importantly – what would you do? These are questions to which, unfortunately, we do not have an answer. I don’t remember a day in my life when your views on the world and your way of thinking were more important to us than today.”

“Shimon Peres’ legacy is a testament to his belief in the power of diplomacy, creativity and perseverance in building a better, more peaceful world. Today we are here to pay tribute to the great statesman and the legacy he left behind, which obliges us to work together even harder to ensure peace and stability in conflict-ridden regions,” said the executive director of IPESE, Dušan Žarković.

He added that he is proud of the fruitful cooperation between the Institute for Politics and Economy of Southeast Europe and the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation from Tel Aviv.

“It is important that our nations, on the basis of their historical friendship, continue to promote the values ​​of building peace and progress, drawing inspiration from the vision that Shimon Peres left behind,” said Žarković.