President Shimon Peres hosted the New York Knicks NBA all-star player Amar’e Stoudemire at his residence in Jerusalem this morning.  Stoudemire is in Israel to take part in the Maccabiah Games where he will serve as part of Canada’s Basketball team staff. He asked to meet with President Peres and present the educational project which he has begun to promote in Israel - learning science through sports. President Peres was impressed by the height (2.08 meters) of the player, and opened the meeting by jokingly asking Stoudemire to compare heights by taking  a "back to back" photo. The president then turned to Stoudemire and said: "It is an honor to have you in Israel. Since you have already achieved all the possible achievements elsewhere, I now urge you to join the Israeli National Team and be a part of our country. On behalf of the Israeli people and more importantly, on behalf of the youth of Israel, I am very pleased to have you here today. Your presence delights the children and there is nothing more delightful than children that are delighted. You are a very special man, not only because of your talent in basketball, but because of your personality. So many children all over the world dream of the NBA, and you are a hero to them.  We appreciate the program that you have initiated with Hebrew University - an innovative program which will undoubtedly make a difference.  Instead of people fighting on the battlefield , let them compete on the basketball court. On the court, there are no victims, just individuals and teams striving for excellence. I see athletes as ambassadors of peace. "

Stoudemire thanked the President for his kind words and said: "It is an honor to be here, coaching in the Maccabiah games. Being able to meet you is definitely a big accomplishment on my end. My efforts for education are very important and that is the area that I focus on. I feel that the way we can cure poverty is through education, and that is what my charity efforts have been about. Being able to expand that here in Israel is a great accomplishment and this has definitely been a phenomenal trip and this is only day two. We are starting the basketball of physics, which is a program that Hebrew University already had in motion. We are also looking to include an African American studies course of the scriptures of the Jewish culture. That is an area that a lot of us are intrigued with because there are so many other tribes that are Jewish, and for them to be able to research that history in an actual system would be great. Playing basketball is a platform that allows me to be somewhat of a role model for the youth and that is a responsibility that most basketball players have on our shoulders- to be positive role models for the youth, because they look up to us. So to be able to expand my charity efforts not only in New York, but here in Jerusalem and with the Hebrew University, allows the ideal of being that positive role model for the youth to expand. Being able to meet you is definitely one of the biggest achievements in my life and career. Thank you again.”

Stoudemire who is in the process of converting to Judaism, was born in Florida in 1982. He began his NBA career at 18 years old, when he was drafted into the Phoenix Suns. Attending the meeting was Mr. Zvi Hauser, outgoing Cabinet Secretary, who is supporting the project in Israel, children from Kiryat Malachi who achieved certificates of excellence after participating  the Science Oriented Youth program last year. After hearing about Stoudemire’s charity project, the children told President Peres with great excitement that Stoudemire is their hero.