Statement of President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, at the ceremony for "The Presidential Award of Distinction" granted to the President of Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano
This Award was given by Committee of Seven which I have to approve. At the Head of Committee Serves aformer Chief of Justice, so this is an objective judgment there's no favor ,and I think that they have selected Giorgio Napolitano for creating something which is the most important feature of a President, to have the trust of the people, the trust of your people and the trust of all the people, all around the world.
A man of truth, a man of courage, a man of service. President, don't rule they serve and you are an example of service. I also owe your longtime friendship and attitude towards the Jewish people here and abroad, this is exceptional, no matter which parti you have been, no matter what responsibilities you were carrying, you never changed.
You remain always true to your convictions, your values and all of us salut you.
We are now coming from a ceremony yesterday that was organized by His Holiness the Pope .it all of a sudden became a very moving ceremony, showing, I believe, the belonging of people for peace. Time has come for peace.
And I think that right now there was an interruption of the negotiations, peace will return and very soon.
And I hope we shall find a solution, an agreed solution, accepted by the two parties, Palestinians and ourselves.
Still we have to overcome some difficulties from the past, basically terror, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, but they don't have a future, they don't have a message for the future, because they don't long for peace.
Diario storico
Intervento del Presidente della Repubblica alla cerimonia di apertura ufficiale del 100° anniversario di fondazione del C.O.N.I.Cerimonia di consegna al Presidente della Repubblica dell'onorificenza "The Presidential Award of Distinction" da parte di S.E. il Signor Shimon Peres, Presidente dello Stato di Israele.
Impegni del Presidente della Repubblica