Israeli statesman Shimon Peres, founding father of the Jewish State and Nobel Laureate, was laid to rest earlier today in Jerusalem.

On a cloudless blue morning, an honor guard brought the flag-draped casket of Shimon Peres to the Mt. Herzl national cemetery on Friday as 100 world leaders and dignitaries from 70 countries assembled to bid a final farewell to the former Israeli leader and Nobel laureate.

For a brief period of time, in honor of a remarkable man, conflict was set aside. The countries represented included Great Britain, Germany, France, United States, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, and Palestine. Yes Palestine.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s request to attend the funeral of former President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem on Friday was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior Israeli official said.
This will be Abbas’ first official visit in Israel since September 2010, and the first time he will have shaken hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since last November.

Shimon Peres was an optimist and a visionary.