Part of letter sent to President Obama from Shimon Peres following deadly attack in Libya. Photo: Peres' Office.

Following the deadly attack in Libya at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, where U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed, along with 3 other staff members, Israeli President and Nobel Peace Laureate Shimon Peres sent President Obama a letter expressing his condolences on behalf of the state of Israel.

“I was deeply shocked by the sad news of today’s brtual attack on the Americna embassy in Benghazi,” the letter reads.  “The loss of four Amercan lives, among them Ambassador Christopher Stevens, is a pain which is shared by your friends around the world.  By upholding America’s values of freedom and democracy, Ambassador Stevens and his team have brought honor to the cause which they served until the very last moment.  This admirable dedication only strengthens Israel’s esstem for American’s enduring commitment to spreading peace and security around the world.”

Obama presented Peres with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in July, noting the Israeli leader’s commitment to achieving peace in the Middle East and the security of Israel.

“Shimon knows the necessity of strength,” Obama said during the ceremony in Washington D.C. earlier this year.  “As Ben-Gurion said, an Israel capable of defending herself-which cannot be destroyed-can bring peace nearer.  And so he’s worked with every American President since John F. Kennedy.”

Letter sent to President Obama from Shimon Peres. Photo: Peres' Office.