EX-PRESIDENT PERES, ‘A TRUE VISIONARY,’ DEAD AT 93

Shimon Peres, the former president of Israel and a founder of the Jewish state, died early Wednesday after the Israeli media reported the 93-year-old’s condition had deteriorated following a massive stroke two weeks ago.

“It is with great sadness that we share news of (the) passing of Shimon Peres. He was a true visionary and statesman,” the Israeli Embassy in Canada tweeted.

Peres’ family had gathered at his bedside at Tel Aviv’s Sheba Medical Center. The former president had appeared to be recuperating until Tuesday’s reversal.

He was one of the last surviving members of the generation of leaders who founded Israel in 1948. And in recent years, Peres was Israel’s elder statesman and its face to the world.