Shimon Peres. Photo: World Economic Forum.

JNS.org – Former Israeli President Shimon Peres was laid to rest Friday in a state service held at Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery in Jerusalem.

Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum, alongside dignitaries from 70 countries worldwide, attended the funeral.

Peres’ coffin was taken to Mount Herzl on Friday morning, arriving at the cemetery at 8:30 am. The official state service was held an hour later, with some 5,000 people in attendance.

President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, US President Barack Obama, former US President Bill Clinton, Israeli author Amos Oz and the late president’s three children, Tsvia, Yoni and Chemi all paid tribute to Peres.

Many spoke of his decades-long attempts to make peace, and continued optimism even in the face of challenges.

“You were not just a man of vision, but a man of action. I was privileged to watch you with amazement, as a partner in the construction of the state of Israel from its inception,” Rivlin said.

“You spared no effort to strike peace,” Netanyahu said, “And in the tumultuous Middle East, where only the strong survive, peace can only be obtained if it stems from the constant guarantee of our might. Such power is but the means to an end — the purpose of existence and coexistence, prosperity, peace and progress, for us, our Palestinian neighbors and the nations of the region.”

Obama spoke of Peres’ dreams for Israel and the region, saying, “He showed us that justice and hope are at the heart of the Zionist idea. A free life in a homeland regained, a secure life in a nation that can defend itself by itself. A full life and friendship with nations who can be counted on as allies.”