Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a Canadian delegation joined dozens of international dignitaries today at the funeral of a political giant.
Trudeau, along with former prime ministers Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper, were part of a final tribute to Shimon Peres at a state funeral held at the Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem.
Peres’ death this week at the age of 93 prompted a host of global figures to congregate for his farewell, including U.S. President Barack Obama, Prince Charles and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who sat in the front row alongside members of the Peres family.
Trudeau sat beside the Mexican president in the second row of mourners while Harper, Chretien, interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion sat together in the next row.
U.S. President Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton delivered emotional eulogies, but Trudeau was not among the speakers at the solemn outdoor ceremony held in sweltering heat under a white tent.
Former Canadian cabinet minister Stockwell Day attended the ceremony and said he hoped for a day when Israel would realize Peres’ hope for peace.
As the funeral began, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion sent out a tweet that said “Canada has lost a friend, Israel a father. Rest in peace, Shimon.”
