MembersFrom Loser to Winner

For over six decades Shimon Peres dutifully served his country, holding nearly every important political office, including both that of prime minister and president.

By Israel Today Staff |

Shimon Peres was born on 2 August 1923 in Poland as Szymon Perski. At the age of 11, Peres, along with his mother and younger brother, Gershon, moved to pre-state Israel to join his father, who had immigrated two years earlier. At just 29-years-of-age, Peres was tapped by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, to be his personal advisor and to serve as director-general of the Ministry of Defense.

Peres’ political career was characterized by a constant struggle with his Labor Party rival, Yitzhak Rabin....

1 / 9 Photo: GPO
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2 / 9 D45-099 Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO
3 / 9 Photo: GPO
4 / 9 Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO
In light of recent manifestations of discrimination directed towards the Ethiopian community, President Shimon Peres visits "Reshit" school in Jerusalem. Photo: President Peres (2nd on the right) takes a picture with a group of students. על רקע גילויי האפליה האחרונים המופנים כלפי בני הקהילה האתיופית, נשיא המדינה שמעון פרס מבקר בבית ספר "ראשית" בירושלים. צילום: הנשיא פרס (שני מימין) מצטלם עם קבוצת תלמידים.
5 / 9 In light of recent manifestations of discrimination directed towards the Ethiopian community, President Shimon Peres visits "Reshit" school in Jerusalem. Photo: President Peres (2nd on the right) takes a picture with a group of students. על רקע גילויי האפליה האחרונים המופנים כלפי בני הקהילה האתיופית, נשיא המדינה שמעון פרס מבקר בבית ספר "ראשית" בירושלים. צילום: הנשיא פרס (שני מימין) מצטלם עם קבוצת תלמידים. Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO
The fifth Israeli Presidential Conference Facing Tomorrow 2013, under the auspices of the President Shimon Peres, at the International Convention Center Jerusalem. In the photo: President Shimon Peres gives Bill Clinton The President’s Award. ועידת הנשיא החמישית פונים אל המחר 2013, בחסותו של הנשיא שמעון פרס בבנייני האומה בירושלים. בצילום: הנשיא שמעון פרס מעניק לביל קלינטון את עיטור הנשיא.
6 / 9 The fifth Israeli Presidential Conference Facing Tomorrow 2013, under the auspices of the President Shimon Peres, at the International Convention Center Jerusalem. In the photo: President Shimon Peres gives Bill Clinton The President’s Award. ועידת הנשיא החמישית פונים אל המחר 2013, בחסותו של הנשיא שמעון פרס בבנייני האומה בירושלים. בצילום: הנשיא שמעון פרס מעניק לביל קלינטון את עיטור הנשיא. Photo: Moshe Milner/GPO
7 / 9 Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO
8 / 9 Photo: GPO
9 / 9 Photo: GPO
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