NEW YORK – On the occasion of President Shimon Peres’ last official visit to the U.S., during which he was honored with both the Congressional Gold Medal and the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice’s Lantos Human Rights Prize, the Rabbinical Assembly issued the following statement.
Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Executive Vice President, said:
President Peres’ 55-year career in Israeli diplomacy and politics has earned him a reputation as one of the world’s most respected, committed, and capable political officials. He continues to be an inspiration through his consistent articulation of Judaism’s most deeply held humanitarian values as they express themselves in Zionism and Israeli statehood. We are grateful for his receptive attitude toward the Diaspora community’s concerns, as evidenced by leadership such as his convening of the annual President’s Conference where representatives of many major Jewish organizations have been invited to make their voices heard. As President Peres is awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Lantos Foundation’s Human Rights Prize, we congratulate him both on the work he had done during his career to advance the cause of peace and the esteem that it has rightly earned him.
Rabbi William Gershon, President, added:
President Peres’ commitment to peace and the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel has been powerful and inspiring, and we congratulate him on these well-deserved honors in recognition of his role on the global stage. These awards are a fitting sendoff to President Peres, who adds them to his long list of recognitions and honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nobel Peace Prize. The Jewish people have been extremely fortunate to have the Israeli presidency graced by so skilled a diplomat and so warm an individual. We wish President Peres the best of luck in his future endeavors and thank him for the extraordinary service he has rendered the Jewish people during the past 55 years.