Peres pays condolences to family of fallen soldier

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
President Shimon Peres on Wednesday paid his first condolence call in his present capacity. Peres traveled to Yuvalim in the Galilee to comfort the family of St.Sgt. Arbel Yitzhak Reich, 21, of the Givati Brigade's Reconnaissance Battalion, who last Thursday was the first Israeli soldier to be killed in battle in Gaza since November, 2006. Peres asked members of Reich's family to share their memories with him and to tell him about Reich's life, his character and the things he liked to do. At the conclusion of the long visit, Reich's father Moshe told Peres that he was well aware that visiting the families of fallen soldiers was one of the obligations that the presidents of Israel have taken upon themselves. "I pray that this may be the first and the last time that you have to do this throughout your term of office," he said.