Statements on the death of Nelson Mandela 6 Dec 2013

Israeli leaders on the death of Nelson Mandela

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    ​We mourn alongside the nations of the world and the people of South Africa, who lost an exceptional leader.
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    Former South African President Nelson Mandela views photos of Buchenwald concentration camp at Yad Vashem, 1999 Former South African President Nelson Mandela views photos of Buchenwald concentration camp at Yad Vashem, 1999 Copyright: Reuters
     
     
    ​President Shimon Peres, early this morning (Friday, 6 December 2013), released a special statement following the death of Nelson Mandela: 

    "The world lost a great leader who changed the course of history. On behalf of the citizens of Israel we mourn alongside the nations of the world and the people of South Africa, who lost an exceptional leader. Nelson Mandela was a fighter for human rights who left an indelible mark on the struggle against racism and discrimination. He was a passionate advocate for democracy, a respected mediator, a Nobel peace prize laureate and above all a builder of bridges of peace and dialogue who paid a heavy personal price for his struggle in the years he spent in prison and fighting for his people. Nelson Mandela's legacy for his people and for the world will forever remain engraved in the pages of history and the hearts of all those who were touched by him. He will be remembered forever."

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, early this morning (Friday, 6 December 2013), issued the following statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela:
    "Nelson Mandela was among the greatest figures of our time. He was the father of his country, a man of vision and a freedom fighter who disavowed violence. He set a personal example for his country during the long years in which he was imprisoned. He was never haughty. He worked to heal rifts within South African society and succeeded in preventing outbreaks of racial hatred. He will be remembered as the father of the new South Africa and a moral leader of the highest order."