Foreign Secretary statement following the death of former Israeli President Shimon Peres

28 Sep 2016 11:57 AM

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson saddened to hear of the death of one of the great leaders of our time.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of one of the great leaders of our time, Shimon Peres.

In my last conversation with him he told me that “pessimists and optimists pass away the same way. But if you leave as an optimist you have had a better life.” He certainly had a better life and throughout his long and distinguished career he was a towering figure in Israel and around the world. He was a man of action but also one of peace and we should remember his tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace for the Middle East.

My deepest sympathies are with his family and the people of Israel at this time of mourning.

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