Shimon Peres will be sworn into office on July 15 for a seven-year term as Israel's ninth president.Peres, 83, is replacing the disgraced Moshe Katsav, who faces multiple allegations of sexual assault against female staffers in the president's mansion.
A protege of Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, Peres became a politician in his own right in 1959, when he was elected to parliament.
He has since held every major Cabinet post — including minister of defense, finance and foreign affairs — and served three brief stints as prime minister. His key role in the first Israeli-Palestinian peace accord earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 and unprecedented stature abroad as a revered statesman.
Currently vice premier in Israel's 12th prime minister Ehud Olmert's government, he has filled nearly every position in Israeli public life since he became the director general of the Defense Ministry at the age of 25 and spearheaded the development of Israel's nuclear program.
In January 2006, Peres backed Ehud Olmert after Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke. Reuters reported on 13 April that Sharon's condition has slightly improved and according to his son, Omri, was marginally responsive.
In January 2006, Peres backed Ehud Olmert after Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke. Reuters reported on 13 April that Sharon's condition has slightly improved and according to his son, Omri, was marginally responsive.
Earlier last month, in declaring his candidacy, Peres told supporters this "may be my last chance to serve the country" and pledged to unify the country.
Though the presidency is a mainly ceremonial post, it had once been seen as the nation's moral compass. Israelis hope that Peres, with his international stature, will be able to rehabilitate the position.
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