World

Shimon Peres Inaugurated in Israel

by Jordan Yerman | July 15, 2007 at 01:37 pm

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Shimon Peres, 83-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, two-time Prime Minister and senior cabinet member, offically takes his place in the Knesset (house of representatives) as the ninth president of Israel. He enters office with big promises of finding a path to peace in the embattled Middle East, but the presidency is a largely symbolic position, with Ehud Olmert retaining the role of current Prime Minister.

After reciting the oath of office, Mr Peres said: "I am no longer the messenger of a party but a trustee of the nation, of all the citizens of the state... (who) must encourage the peace process. Within the house. With our neighbours. In the whole region."

Elder statesman

Mr Peres also said that he would work to ensure that citizens of Israel who are not Jews do not suffer discrimination.

"If they do not enjoy complete equality, we will not be at peace with ourselves and with our fellow men.

"Israel... must be a good and warm home for Jews who are not Israelis, as well as for Israelis who are not Jews."