“Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” (Isaiah 3:10)
A day after his visit at the Vatican to pray for peace along with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Shimon Peres went to the Quirinal Palace in Rome to honor President Giorgio Napolitano with a special presidential medal.
“I am proud to confer upon you the Presidential Medal of Distinction in honor of your steadfast commitment to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. You raised a clear voice in support of Israeli democracy,” Peres told the Italian leader. (Times of Israel)
Israeli President Shimon Peres confers upon President Giorgio Napolitano Israel’s Presidential Medal of Distinction for his support of Israel.
Napolitano is known for his commitment to Israel, even receiving criticism from within his own Communist party in Italy for supporting the requests of the Soviet Prisoners of Zion to immigrate to Israel, and for what appeared to many as his overly strong condemnation of terror.
He accepted the medal saying, “My unflagging relation with the State of Israel and the Jewish people, my determination to fight anti-Semitism and attacks on Israel, are an integral part of my anti-fascist commitment.” (Times of Israel)
An explanatory address given before Peres granted the medal stated that, “President Napolitano has condemned every manifestation of terrorism, he has hosted meetings between Israelis and Palestinians in an effort to seek a solution to the Middle East conflict on the basis of mutual recognition.”
It continued, “The President represents a figure of leadership in the European arena in the fight against Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism.” (Arutz 7)
Israeli President Shimon Peres congratulates President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome.
The medal is awarded to individuals or organizations that have made a unique contribution to improving the world, Israeli society and the State of Israel’s image around the world.
Past recipients have included Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. (Times of Israel)
