President Rivlin, Israeli officials remember Shimon Peres in Jerusalem

The memorial ceremony for the late president was held at the Great Leaders of the Nation section of Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery.

Reuven Rivlin  commemorates the late Shimon Peres in Jerusalem (photo credit: PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCY SPOKESPERSON)
Reuven Rivlin commemorates the late Shimon Peres in Jerusalem
(photo credit: PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCY SPOKESPERSON)
Top Israeli officials and diplomats, among them President Reuven Rivlin, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, gathered on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on Friday morning to commemorate former president Shimon Peres on the second anniversary of his death.
Peres, former president, prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister and head of eight other ministries, was the last surviving member of Israel’s founding fathers and passed away exactly two years ago according to the Hebrew calendar at the age of 93.
"Let me remain optimistic and allow me to be a dreamer," President Rivlin opened the ceremony, quoting Peres's speech at his swearing-in ceremony as the ninth president of the State of Israel.
"Two years have passed since you left. The days of your life were many and good, full of dreams for our little country and our wonderful society," Rivlin continued.
Reuven Rivlin commemorates the late Shimon Peres in Jerusalem (PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCY SPOKESPERSON)
Reuven Rivlin commemorates the late Shimon Peres in Jerusalem (PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCY SPOKESPERSON)
"You always knew how much we were all connected and responsible for each other. You loved the people and the country."
Among those attending the ceremony was Peres's daughter Dr. Tsvia Walden.
"I miss the man, who combined his love for Israel with his love for humankind," she said.
"I miss his loyalty to the mission with which the State of Israel was established and the adherence to the values which lie at its foundation, the sense of obligation to ensure the well-being of very single person, citizen or resident, the hope for mutual recognition and respect, the faith in goodness and the ability to reach an agreement with our neighbors and live in peace at home and abroad.
"Dad, I miss you," she said.
The memorial ceremony for the late president was held at the Great Leaders of the Nation section of Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery which is the site of the graves of prime ministers, presidents and other honored leaders of the State of Israel.