A statesman’s life
Since Israel’s creation nearly 70 years ago, Shimon Peres held nearly every top office as the nation moved from frequent war toward elusive peace. In American terms, it would be as if soldier-statesman Dwight Eisenhower, who served as U.S. president in the 1950s, never left the scene to this day.
Peres was a generational link to Israel’s beginnings. He was a Polish-born Zionist who arrived in the 1930s and rose to power as a military organizer, building the young nation’s defense and steering it through a series of wars with Arab neighbors. Among his tasks was building the nation’s secretive nuclear weapons research facilities. Another achievement was the commandoled rescue of Israeli hostages at the Entebbe airport in Uganda in 1976.
Once Israel’s existence appeared assured, he set a new course toward peace with the same surrounding countries who had launched attacks. First with Egypt and then with Palestinians leaders, he crafted agreements that sought to end conflicts. The result was a major breakthrough that earned him a share of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
But that plan, like many others, fell apart. The standoff between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors has hardened, dividing Israel’s supporters and fueling continued fighting.
Another more lasting success was Israel itself. As a political leader, Peres pushed the economy away from early-days settlement life on farms toward modern industry. The country’s rise to prominence in technology and pharmaceuticals can be traced partly to his guidance.
His lifetime spans Israel’s short and remarkable history. His career, filled with warfare and diplomacy, summarizes the nation’s story. His passing presents a challenge to Israel’s leadership to match his accomplishments and willingness to change.