Eulogy by Minister Shimon Peres

In the gallery of Israel’s leaders, Israel Yeshayahu was, undoubtedly, a unique personality.

He embodied the incredible charms of Yemenite Jewry. A man of justice, an intellectual, a biblical scholar and, obviously, a speaker of incomparable Hebrew; Hebrew like clear water emanating from a deep and ancient spring. He was enamored with the language. He was well versed in its linguistic intricacies. Israel was a very meticulous man about himself as well as towards others. He had to travel a long road in this country. In fact, he was the first “Magic Carpet” who came to us and we were very proud of him. We loved him dearly. He, actually, made us all into what the State of Israel really is - a gathering of the exiles - where some of the newcomers came out of a faith in the Messiah and others, due to the troubles that befell the Jewish People.

I saw him several weeks before his passing. I think he died as a man of faith he didn’t just live as one. Even during our final conversation he was still spinning and weaving plans for the future. Indeed, he was no longer the Speaker of the Knesset but he did not feel he had concluded his mission in the Labor Movement. On the contrary, he was ready to afford us the enchanted and extraordinary heritage by which he had lived his entire life.

May his memory be blessed!