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Shimon Peres

1923-

Israeli Politician

Israeli statesman Shimon Peres, born in Wolozyn, Poland in 1923, was brought to Palestine in 1934. After the War of Independence in 1948-49, Peres joined the Ministry of Defense staff, where he served as Director General from 1953-1959 and Deputy Defense Minister under Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion from 1959-65.

From 1959 on, he was a prominent member of Israel's Parliament, the Knesset. Peres is also credited with being the father of Israel's defense industries, which were developed under his direction.

From 1974-1977, Peres served as Defense Minister. In 1977, he became the head of the Labor Party, serving as Prime Minister from 1984-1986 in the National Unity Government.

In 1986, as prearranged in a power sharing agreement, he resigned the prime ministership in favor of Yitzhak Shamir, and became Israel's Foreign Minister. After the 1988 election, Peres became Finance Minister.

In 1990 he led his party in political opposition. When Yitzhak Rabin became Prime Minister in 1992, Peres was named Foreign Minister.

With the assasination of Prime Minister Rabin in November 1996, Peres became the interim Prime Minister. He lost to opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu in a close election in May 1996. Peres continued to serve in the parliament. In 2005 when Prime Minister Sharon formed the new centrist party Kadima Peres left the Labor party to join Kadima. He became a minister in Prime Minister Olmert government. On July 15th, 2007 Peres became the 9th president of Israel.

Bibliography:

Golan, Matti. Road to Peace : A Biography of Shimon Peres . 1989. Warner Books.

Golan, Matti. Shimon Peres : A Biography . 1982. St. Martins Press Inc.