The eternal optimist
ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR TO CANADA ON THE LIFE OF SHIMON PERES
In April 1993, I got a phone call that would change my life. I was the deputy head of mission at Israel’s embassy in Belgium. On the other end of the line was my deputy minister, who shared a request from foreign minister Shimon Peres, asking me to leave my post and fly to Israel as soon as possible. No other details were given, but when Peres calls, you say yes and ask questions later.
I arrived back in Jerusalem to learn that I was to serve as chief coordinator for the Oslo peace talks with the Palestinians, which at the time were being held behind closed doors. For the next three years, it was my job to follow the agendas of the negotiating teams, which were led by deputy foreign minister Uri Savir and legal adviser Joel Singer, and inform our superiors, prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Peres, on our progress.
This gave me a unique window into Peres as a leader and as a man. Although he was 70 years old, he exuded energy. I recall fondly how we ended long days of meetings by going back to his office. Everyone in the room, most of whom were 20 or 30 years younger than Peres, would fall back into the couches, exhausted and ready for bed. Peres, however, would stand up, ask us why we were so tired and then lead us through a round of jumping jacks.
My time with Peres was the formative period of my life. I am proud to call him a mentor and his vision inspires me to this day. He woke up every day of his life with one goal in mind: to serve the country he loved. In his early years, he helped lay the foundation for an independent, democratic Jewish state. His first priority was to build up Israel’s defence capabilities, so that we could live within safe, secure borders.
He was a leader who fought for Israel’s security, but he also became a champion of peace. He was a tireless advocate of peaceful coexistence with Israel’s neighbours. His Nobel Peace Prize was a testament to how his message of hope transcended Israel, affecting the hearts of Arab leaders in our region and inspiring people from around the world. In his pursuit of peace during his second term as prime minister, I had the privilege of organizing the first official visit of an Israeli leader to numerous Arab capitals and of travelling with him to Oman and Qatar. I will forever remember how our bodies shivered when Israel’s anthem, Hatikvah, was played by Arab military bands.
His vision also made him an early advocate of the important role of science and technology. He understood that innovation was more than just about improving the economy, it was about improving life for future generations. Well before the term “Startup Nation” became part of Israel’s daily lexicon, Peres inspired me to think about how new developments, such as nanotechnology and neuroscience, could improve Israel’s standing in the world.
When I was named ambassador to Canada in 2013, it was president Peres who handed me my credentials. This was only fitting, given our connection and his direct role in establishing the roots of Canada and Israel’s bilateral relationship, especially in the areas of science and innovation. It was foreign minister Peres whose initiative led to the Canada-Israel Industrial Research Foundation in the mid1990s and president Peres who played a key role in connecting Israeli and Canadian scientists, especially in the area of brain research. Over my tenure, I am proud to have helped strengthen these ties. Today, it is hard to find a Canadian university that is not connected to Israel. And many of Canada’s top companies — including Black-Berry, MDA, Magna International and Bombardier — have some links to Israel’s innovation sector.
The pride that fills me when I reminisce about Shimon Peres’ impact on my career, the state of Israel and the Canada- Israel relationship is immediately followed by great sadness. He represented the vision, hope, courage, innovation and colourful vibrancy that is Israel. He was an eternal optimist, who was never discouraged, despite the political challenges he faced. I feel privileged to have known him and it is hard for me to think about a future without him. As we honour his life, I am heartened by the knowledge that his legacy of peace and his vision for a better future will live on forever.