90-year-old Shimon Peres left office Thursday as the ninth president of the State of Israel capping a remarkable seventy year career in public service.
In his farewell speech before the Knesset, Peres began:
I came to thank you for the privilege you granted me to serve our country and its people for the past seven years. There is no greater privilege. Thank you.
Israel, this small country, became a truly great state.
The speech was, in general terms, about the history and accomplishments of the nation to whom he is inextricably tied. But in the middle of the speech, Peres turned to the news of the day.
Challenges are not invited. They occur spontaneously. That is how the current challenge occurred. I did not imagine that in the last days of my presidency I would be called upon, once more, to comfort bereaved families. Tears in their eyes. And faith in their hearts.
I did not imagine that it would happen again, after we were hit with rockets which were intended to harm innocent civilians. And after we uncovered tunnels meant to kill, intended to penetrate into the heart of civilian communities and fire at mothers and children. We must alert the world to the madness of the terrorist threat.
At that point, the tone of speech changed from hopeful to pained. It’s not just the “challenge” thrust upon Israel in recent weeks that troubled Peres, but the world’s response to them.
It is also hard to fathom how a council which bears the words “human rights” in its name, decided to establish a committee to investigate who is right. Is it the murderers or those who refuse to be murdered?
At the end of the speech, Peres recalled his mentor, Israel’s first prime minister David Ben-Gurion, and concluded with a message of hope.
As Ben-Gurion said: “There are no experts for the future, only experts for the past.” Indeed, the future requires believers, not necessarily experts. The future is built. Not inherited from prophets. …
Therefore, as I leave my official position I will remain a citizen filled with hope. Hope for a better future. Hope for peace. Hope that the dream of today will create an exemplary reality. When I return and meet the beauty and strength of the State of Israel, I find myself shedding a tear. Maybe excited slightly more than my younger friends. Because throughout my years I witnessed the entire incredible journey, and the miracles of Israel.
Alongside David Ben-Gurion I saw it fighting for its life. With few resources but endless dangers. And today, I see her standing strong. Secure. Flourishing. Successful in every field. I see my country promising an exciting future for our sons and daughters.
[Photo: Moshe Pridan / WikiCommons ]