Israel: Shimon Peres Dies at the Age of 93

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres has died at the age of 93.

He served twice as Israel’s prime minister and once as president.

Shimon Peres suffered a stroke two weeks ago. His condition had improved before a sudden deterioration on September 27.

His son, Chemi Peres, led tributes to “one of the founding fathers of the state of Israel” who “worked tirelessly” for it.

World figures are expected to attend Shimon Peres’ funeral in Jerusalem on September 29, including President Barack Obama, Prince Charles and Pope Francis.

Shimon Peres was one of the last of a generation of Israeli politicians present at Israel’s birth in 1948.

He won the Nobel Peace prize in 1994 for his role negotiating peace accords with the Palestinians a year earlier.

Shimon Peres once said the Palestinians were Israel’s “closest neighbors” and might become its “closest friends”.

He died in a hospital near Tel Aviv early on September 28, with his family at his bedside.

Shimon Peres had been in the intensive care unit of the Sheba Medical Centre after suffering a major stroke on September 13.

The funeral will be held at Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery in Jerusalem.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UK PM Theresa May have all confirmed they will attend, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said.

President Barack Obama called Shimon Peres his “dear friend” in a statement, and said: “He was guided by a vision of the human dignity and progress that he knew people of goodwill could advance together.”