Donald Trump praised former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres as a “consummate statesman” and “distinguished patriot” in a statement on Wednesday about his passing.
“Melania and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Shimon Peres on the passing of their beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” said the Republican presidential nominee.
Peres, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who also served as Israel’s president from 2007-14, died at age 93 on Tuesday, two weeks after suffering a massive stroke. World leaders have praised Peres for the central role he played in Israel’s founding and his relentless pursuit of a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians.
“Shimon Peres’ life always pointed toward peace. Bearing witness to more than his share of war and its human toll, Shimon Peres devoted his leadership skills to cultivating peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors,” Trump said, adding that Peres was “a consummate statesman, a distinguished patriot and a friend of peace-loving people everywhere.
“With his hand outstretched in peace and friendship, Shimon Peres personified dignity and grace in a region of the world where both run far too short. May he rest in peace,” Trump said.
Neither Trump nor Clinton have plans to attend the state funeral for Peres, which will be held in Jerusalem on Friday. Instead, former President Bill Clinton will go in his wife’s place.
