Bill Clinton and Amar’e Stoudemire Lead Parade of Well-Wishers for Shimon Peres
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
As former Israeli President Shimon Peres continues to recover from the — he remains in stable but serious condition as of Wednesday morning — an extremely diverse group of politicians and other public figures are wishing him well.
It’s a testament to Peres’ global appeal as a symbol of peace that he would elicit get- well wishes from individuals as varied as former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire and Norway’s foreign affairs minister. Stoudemire, who describes himself as culturally Jewish and will play on an Israeli basketball team this winter, met Peres during a visit to Israel in 2013.
Sending prayers and wishing you a speedy recovery @PresidentPeres pic.twitter.com/KNBEtmu9Jf
— Amar’e Stoudemire (@Amareisreal) September 13, 2016
My thoughts are with Israel’s elder statesman S. Peres suffering a stroke. Shimon the last of Israel’s founding generation; a man of peace
— Børge Brende (@borgebrende) September 13, 2016
Former President Bill Clinton, who worked with Peres on the Oslo Accords, reportedly called Peres’ camp multiple times on Tuesday night. Tony Blair, another ally in the peace process — he previously served as envoy for the Quartet for Middle East Peace, a multi-lateral effort to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — also called to check in.
Even Russian President Vladimir Putin called, according to Peres’ spokesperson (although The Times of Israel noted that Putin’s spokesperson did not confirm what was discussed).
Here are some of the other prominent people who saluted Peres on social media.
Get Well Shimon Peres, Man of Peace
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) September 13, 2016
You are in my thoughts and prayers @PresidentPeres. I wish you a complete and quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/6OL4Vz8MRa
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) September 13, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with former Israeli President Shimon Peres. https://t.co/qJQPKWE5DD
— Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) September 13, 2016
My thoughts are with Shimon Peres, a true friend of America. I hope for a speedy recovery to one of Israel’s greatest. @PresidentPeres
— Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) September 14, 2016
Thoughts & prayers with Shimon Peres. https://t.co/o0VFIQtVt7
— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) September 13, 2016
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