In memory of the Israeli politician who became the ninth President of Israel in 2007 at the age of 83. Remembering the man who won the Nobel Peace Prize. He died on September 28, 2016.

His unwavering commitment to strengthening the country was reflected in his words: ’’When Israel was weak, I worked to make it strong. But when it became strong, I dedicated myself to peace. “

Shimon Peres, an Israeli politician whose brilliant career spanned more than 50 years, died on September 28, 2016, at the age of 93, after suffering a stroke. His career was marked by exceptional dedication to the Israeli people and international peace processes, making him one of the oldest and most influential world leaders in modern history. During seven decades of political engagement, Peres served as Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Foreign Minister and President of Israel. Despite being the head of many military operations, he remained faithful to peace initiatives and diplomatic solutions.

‘’As President, I was more successful. I had more opportunities than as Prime Minister. Why? I didn’t have the power to give orders, but I had the opportunity to call people to volunteer. During my time as President, I never heard the word ‘no’.”

BE A JEW FOREVER

Born in Poland, Peres arrived to Israel as a young man, where he began his political journey under the mentorship of David Ben Gurion, the founder of the modern State of Israel.

During the 1947 War of Independence, Peres played a key role in procuring weapons for the Israeli forces and laid the foundations for Israel’s military industry. His commitment to strengthening the country is reflected in his words: ‘’When Israel was weak, I worked to make it strong. But when it became strong, I dedicated myself to peace.“

‘’Peace is a purpose – a goal worth striving for, while war is a function – arising out of inevitable necessity. No rational creature can prefer the latter. When peace first became possible, I strove for it with all my might. When the Arab leaders were ready for negotiations, I said that I also prefer negotiations”.

Becoming a defense official early in his public career, Peres was a key player in reaching an agreement with France to build Israel’s nuclear reactor at Dimona.

‘’I told many people that I built Dimona to get to Oslo. Its purpose was not to be used in war, but to prevent war. It wasn’t just the reactor that mattered, but the reverberations it caused. I spent much of my youth trying to make Israel safe for its people. But this was a very different kind of security. This was security due to the belief that the state would never be destroyed – the first step towards peace, which began with peace of mind. Seen in this way, I have the feeling that our work in Dimona, an effort that was once predicted to be a sure failure, fulfilled the vow I made to my grandfather, but on an incomparably larger scale: to be a Jew forever and ensure the survival of the Jewish people”, Peres wrote in his memoirs.

STRENGTH OF A NATION – FIRST STEP TOWARDS PEACE

As foreign minister in Yitzhak Rabin’s government, Peres began secret negotiations with Yasser Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organization that led to the historic Oslo peace accords of 1993. For the first time, the Palestinian leadership officially recognized Israel’s right to exist. A year later, Peres became the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Rabin and Arafat. ’’The Palestinians are our closest neighbors“, he said. „I believe they may become our closest friends“.

‘’Ben-Gurion once said that in Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles. Ben-Gurion was right: realism in Israel is no less than the impossible becoming reality“.

Although he was known for his military involvement, Peres believed that the strength of a nation was only the first step towards a more lasting goal – peace. His work on peace processes with the Palestinians, as well as the agreement with Jordan, testify to his tireless desire to resolve long-standing conflicts in the region.

‘’Peace is a purpose – a goal worth striving for, while war is a function – arising out of inevitable necessity. No rational creature can prefer the latter. When peace first became possible, I strove for it with all my might. When the Arab leaders were ready for negotiations, I said that I also prefer negotiations”.

In 2007, at the age of 83, Peres became the ninth President of Israel.

“It was the culmination of a career that lasted as long as the life of the country itself, the last opportunity to serve the people and the government,” Peres wrote. At the inauguration ceremony, according to his words, a young man approached him and started a conversation: “Mr. President, with due respect, after such a long career, why are you still working at that age”, he asked, and Peres answered him: “Why serve? I believe I never even considered the alternative”.

SECRET YOU CAN REVEAL WHEN I DIE

Peres’ biggest challenge during his presidency came in 2012 when he intervened to stop then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Peres was aware of the potential consequences of such a move and insisted on restraint. In a conversation with journalists later he said:

„I personally intervened and prevented Netanyahu from attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. I don’t want to go into details, but I can tell you that he was prepared to take that step, and I stopped it.’’ said Peres and warned of the “catastrophic consequences” such an action could cause. When asked when that statement could be released, he answered simply: ‘’When I die.“

At the inauguration ceremony, according to his words, a young man approached him and started a conversation: “Mr. President, with due respect, after such a long career, why are you still working at that age”, he asked, and Peres answered him: “Why serve? I believe I never even considered the alternative”.

In a 2012 address to the world, Netanyahu warned of the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, calling on the international community to draw a “clear red line” to stop Iran. “Red lines don’t cause war, they prevent it.” A nuclear-armed Iran is the greatest threat to the world,” Netanyahu said, using a symbolic drawing of a bomb to reinforce his message.

NEGOTIATE WITH ENEMIES

Peres’ approach was different – aimed at peaceful solutions, but with a clear awareness of the dangers and opportunities. “Given the fine line between success and failure, knowing that what works in one situation may be disastrous in another… boldly considering one’s options is always the better way“.

Although he was ready to use military force at key moments, Peres was a tireless advocate of dialogue. His commitment to peace was not idealistic, but deeply rooted in the pragmatism of a leader who had seen wars but still believed in the power of reconciliation.

’’If you want to make peace with your enemy you have to work with your enemy,“ he once said, knowingly affirming that real peace can only be achieved through negotiations with those with whom it has long been in conflict.

VISION OF MODERN ISRAEL

Peres’ life, despite numerous challenges, was marked by faith in the power of imagination and innovation. His commitment to science and technology as the foundations for future progress was part of his larger vision of modern Israel. „Ben-Gurion once said that in Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles. Ben-Gurion was right: realism in Israel is no less than the impossible becoming reality“.

To the end of his life, Peres remained an optimist, and he believed in the power of dreams and change. ‘’I regret none of my dreams. My only regret is that I didn’t dream more,“ said Shimon Peres, leaving behind the legacy of a leader who always strived for a better future, both for Israel and for the whole world.

Today, more than ever, it is important that Peres’ legacy of peace guides the way to building a better, more progressive society. His vision, as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, continues to live on through the work of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, with which the Institute for Politics and Economics of Southeast Europe fosters a long and fruitful collaboration, paying tribute to the great statesman and the legacy he left behind, and which obliges us to work together even more to ensure peace and stability in conflict-ridden regions.

Featured photo: AP