Pinned onto EntertainmentAn emotional Bill Clinton today paid tribute to ‘champion of humanity’ Shimon Peres at the funeral of the founding father of modern Israel. The former US president gripped his coffin and looked close to tears as he joined 70 world leaders and royals including Barack Obama, Tony Blair, Prince Charles and King Felipe of Spain who all wore a Jewish skullcap at the ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. The city’s biggest security operation for at least two decades is underway with 8,000 police and soldiers lining the streets as the country’s former prime minister is laid to rest. Mr Peres, who helped set up the post-war Israeli state, died on Wednesday aged 93, two weeks after a major stroke. The statesman was later awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1994 with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for signing the Oslo Accord in the hope a two-state solution would bring peace to the region. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is also at the funeral – his first visit to Israel since 2010 – and in a symbolic moment shook the hand of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him: ‘It’s been a long long time’. Barack Obama started his eulogy by mentioning Abbas and said his ‘presence here is a gesture and a reminder of the unfinished business of peace.’Poignant:The grandchildren of Shimon Peres lay a wreath on the grave of their grandfather during the burial ceremony as a smiling President Obama looks on.US President Barack Obama eulogises former Israeli President Shimon Peres, comparing him to Nelson Mandela, the Queen and other great figures of the 20th century.Symbolic: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (centre) is also at the funeral – his first visit to Israel since 2010 – and shook Benjamin Netanyahu’s hand saying it had been a ‘long long time’.Prince Charles represented the royal family at the funeral – and smiled at an anecdote during the ceremony.Heartbroken: Tsvia, the daughter of former Israeli President Shimon Peres is comforted by her family as she mourns during her father’s funeral.Historic: Shimon Peres is pictured (left) shaking hands with the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 2001. Peres, Arafat and the third Nobel Peace Prize winner Yitzhak Rabin are all now dead. Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish settler angered by the Oslo peace accords they had agreed.Salute: Guards place the coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres on a podium for his funeral.Poignant: Knesset guards carry the flag-draped coffin during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at the Mount Herzel national cemetery in Jerusalem.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands before the coffin after saying: ‘He was a great man of Israel; he was a great man of the world’.Respect: Outgoing US President Obama was also joined by former president Bill Clinton at Mount Herzl Cemetery.Laying hands: Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin pays his respects at the flag-draped coffin of Shimon Peres.Tributes: U.S. President Barack Obama speeches next to the flag-draped coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres during his funeral at the Mount Herzel national cemetery.Close: The US President stood with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hugged Chemi Peres, the son of former Israeli president and Nobel Peace Prize winner.Anglo-French meeting: Prince Charles, left, greets French President Francois Hollande seriously at the start of today’s funeral.VIPs: Prince Charles and Tony Blair both flew into Tel Aviv in private jets ahead of the funeral in Jerusalem.Bereft: Family members of former Israeli President Shimon Peres walk behind his flag-draped coffin during a ceremony at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.Laid to rest: Members of the Knesset guard carry the flag-draped coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, during a ceremony at the Israeli Parliament, before it is transported to Mount Herzl Cemetery ahead of his funeral in Jerusalem.Respected: Mr Peres helped set up the post-war Israeli state and was later awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1994.Final journey: Mr Peres’ body starts from the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to a plot in Israel’s most famous cemetery.Moving: Mr Peres’ famaily hold eachother as they follow the statesman’s coffin on its journey to his final resting place.Cast list: The event will be attended by world leaders and royalty including Barack Obama, pictured arriving in Israel today, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Prince Charles and King Felipe of Spain.Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, left with his security entourage, arrives for the funeral of former Israeli president and Nobel Peace Prize winner.U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Israeli Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold – former French president Nicolas Sarkozy also attended.British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson was followed into the funeral by Canadian Prime Minister Justin TrudeauCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L), Mexican President Enrique PeÒa Nieto (2nd L) and Spanish King Felipe VI (far right) speak.Thousands gathered to pay their respects as Israel’s former Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres lay in state outside parliament (pictured).People line up to pay respects to former Israeli President Shimon Peres at the Knesset plaza in Jerusalem.Shimon Peres pours water into a glass and hands it to Palestinian leader Yasser Arrafat at a symposium on the Middle East at the UNESCO in Paris in 1995. Rest In Peace, Shimon Peres. Shalom! Culled From: MailOnline
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