Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) Director Ze’ev Senir said in a statement Wednesday that he and the commission’s employees and retirees mourn the passing of former President, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Shimon Peres.
“His work has been interwoven with the work of the IAEC since its founding,” Senir said. S”himon Peres substantially contributed to the establishment of the Negev Nuclear Research Center and the foundation of Israel’s nuclear policy as a significant contribution in ensuring the national strength of the State of Israel,” Senir continued. “His legacy will accompany the work of the IAEC in the future as well. May his memory be blessed.”
The IAEC this week opened a specially-dedicated pavilion on Tuesday to present Israel’s work in the field of nuclear applications. Entitled ‘Rays of Hope,’ the pavilion opened at the 60th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference of the United Nations, in Vienna.
It’s the first time that Israel has made an international presentation in the area of nuclear science, specifically in the fields of medical treatment, agriculture and security.
At the conference, Senir told those gathered the former president had passed away at the age of 93, calling him “a man of peace, a man of vision, a man of inspiration, and of great spirit.”
“He was one of Israel’s founding fathers, serving our people up to his last days, respected all over the world, and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. All his life he fostered science, technology and innovation for the benefit of mankind.”