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Shimon Peres
Serving as Israel’s president and prime minister, and sharing the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for the Oslo process.
Dimona programme · Oslo Accord
- Born
- 2 August 1923
- Birthplace
- Vishnyeva, Belarus
- Died
- 28 September 2016
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Shimon Peres was an Israeli politician involved in defence, diplomacy and government for decades. His record includes building military capabilities, negotiations with Palestinian leaders and the 1996 Lebanon campaign.
Early life
Eastern European childhood
Born Szymon Perski in what was then Poland; his father traded timber and his mother was a librarian.
Migration
Moved with his family to Mandatory Palestine in 1934 and later studied at an agricultural school.
Career
- 1953
Defence leadership
Became director-general of the Defence Ministry and helped develop ties with France.
- 1984–1986
Prime minister
Led a national-unity government.
- 1993–1994
Oslo negotiations
As foreign minister, helped negotiate the accord and shared the Nobel Peace Prize.
- 1995–1996
Second premiership
Led the government during Operation Grapes of Wrath; Israeli shelling killed civilians sheltering at Qana.
- 2007–2014
President
Served as Israel’s ninth president.
Major initiatives
Dimona programme
Helped develop Israel’s nuclear infrastructure with French assistance.
Oslo Accord
Participated in negotiations establishing mutual recognition and a framework for Palestinian self-government.
Peres Center
Founded an organisation promoting cooperation and development.
Beyond work
Family
Married Sonya Gelman in 1945; they had three children.
Writing
Published books about politics and his life, including Battling for Peace.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Nobel Prize biography ↗Defence and diplomacy interview ↗Government and Lebanon campaign ↗Photo: Avi Ohayon. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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