JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli President Shimon Peres held a farewell conversation with President Bush.
“At the end of your term, in my name and in the name of the State of Israel and the Jewish people as a whole, I would like to thank you for your many activities over the years and your friendship to the State of Israel," Peres said in a phone call Monday, on the eve of the conclusion of Bush’s term in office. "During your time in office you were a brave leader, and there is no need to wait for the history books to understand that.
"You stood firmly against terror and darkness, and at the same time advanced peace in our region and in the world,” Peres added, according to his spokesperson’s office. "You have made a historic contribution to the whole world and to the Jewish people in particular. We will remember this; we will not forget it.”
Bush thanked Peres.
"These wishes mean a great deal coming from you," the American leader said. "It was an honor to work alongside you over these past years. I thank you for your friendship over these long years, and I see in this conversation the culmination of a pleasant period of cooperation between our two countries.”
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