http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/28/world/middleeast/world-leaders-react-to-shimon-peres.html 2016-09-28 07:11:58 World Leaders Issue Emotional Tributes to Shimon Peres The death of the former Israeli leader prompted an outpouring from around the world, although the praise was tempered among Palestinians. === JERUSALEM — The death of President Obama “A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever,” Mr. Obama said. “ The first President George Bush, who worked with Mr. Peres during his administration, praised an “innate humanity” that inspired many around the world. “By his unyielding determination and principle, Shimon Peres time and again helped guide his beloved country through the crucible of mortal challenge,” Mr. Bush said in a statement. A former political opponent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his wife, Sara, issued a statement expressing “deep personal sorrow over the passing of the former President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres.” Many others joined in. The American Jewish Committee called him “one of the great visionary leaders of the Jewish people.” The Simon Wiesenthal Center said that “no Israeli leader was more respected.” The Anti-Defamation League praised “his clarion voice, statesmanship and wisdom.” Tony Blair, the former British prime minister who still works on Middle East issues, described Mr. Peres as “someone I loved deeply” and a mentor. “His intellect, his way with words that was eloquent beyond description, his command of the world and how it was changing were extraordinary,” Mr. Blair said. But Mr. Peres was a more complicated figure among Just over two weeks ago, when That touched off a backlash from other lawmakers, who denounced Mr. Ghattas as a self-promoter preaching hate. While Mr. Peres was controversial during much of his long career, he came to enjoy support and admiration across the Israeli political spectrum by his final years. Dr. Rafi Walden, Mr. Peres’s personal physician and son-in-law, said that on the day of his stroke, Mr. Peres had delivered a speech of more than an hour to an audience of industry and technology leaders, “as usual, without notes.” Mr. Netanyahu visited Mr. Peres in the hospital during the last two weeks, as did the opposition leader Isaac Herzog. Former President Bill Clinton called the hospital for updates. Pope Francis prayed for his recovery, and Donald J. Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, sent a personal note of praise.