Peres marks five years in office

Sunday marks the end of President Shimon Peres’s fifth year in office.

Until 2000, the presidency was for a five-year term, with an option for reelection to a second term.

Under the current law, presidents are elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term, and are limited to a single term.

On Monday, Peres will hold a working meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Over the past five years he has hosted more than 660 events, had 1,205 working meetings with leading political figures, paid 50 state visits to countries on five continents, visited 157 cities, towns and villages throughout Israel, initiated numerous scientific, cultural and social welfare projects, been closely engaged with the defense establishment, contributed to Israel’s public diplomacy, communicated with the world at large via Facebook, stood at the helm of four international presidential conferences attended by some 20,000 people and worked toward improving the economy by befriending heads of major global companies and persuading them to expand their activities in Israel.

Peres has also spoken up on behalf of minorities, condemned manifestations of violence and racism and received many awards from universities and heads of state and government.

Of all the roles he has had in his long career of public service, he says, the presidency is by far the most satisfying.

Peres will celebrate his 89th birthday next month.