Israeli President Shimon Peres is due to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama on June 13. Here’s a list of five lesser-known distinctions that the Israeli leader has held in his 88 years — 89 in August, poo poo.
Shimon Peres…
1. Is a first cousin of Lauren Bacall (born Betty Joan Perske).
2. Is the world’s second-oldest sitting head of state.
3. Has held the title prime minister three times.
4. Helped establish the Dimona nuclear reactor.
5. Gifted Bill Clinton a silver tray that the latter used as a “Jewish Drawer” of sorts for items he wore at Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
