Shimon Peres: Israel's man of war and peace draws mixed reaction on Twitter

The former Israeli leader has died at the age of 93, two weeks after a stroke.

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres died in Tel Aviv on 28 September at the age of 93. He had been hospitalised in Tel Hasomer hospital following a stroke two weeks ago.

Political leaders around the world have since marked his passing with tributes, including US President Barack Obama who said that the hope Peres gave the world would "burn forever". Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Pope Francis and even Prince Charles are expected to attend Peres' funeral.

"There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of ourselves," Obama said in a statement. "My friend Shimon was one of those people."

Thousands have since taken to Twitter to echo those sentiments. Others took a different view, opting to criticise the former Israeli leader's policies in the Middle East.

'Israeli hero'

RIP #ShimonPeres Israeli patriot, statesman. Most prescient leader I've met. Each line of this '93 I-view came true https://t.co/1WsN3WtyRT
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) September 28, 2016

Mourning the loss of Shimon Peres, a warrior for peace who fought for & loved his country. May his memory be a blessing &his life an example
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) September 28, 2016

#Rip Shimon Peres. Arguably Israel's greatest statesman. Architect of both israel's nuclear program and its last great stab at peace, Oslo
— Matt Gutman (@mattgutmanABC) September 28, 2016

'The symbol of peace in the Middle East'

So saddened to hear of the passing of Shimon Peres, one of #Israel's founding fathers, who never ever gave up on the cause of peace
— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) September 28, 2016

RIP Shimon Peres, a man of war who had the rare courage to become a man of peace, and to persist in seeking it between Israel & Palestine. https://t.co/Ja5imK6wLc
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 28, 2016

A distinct voice of peace, compromise & coexistence has exited. In Shimon Peres, the world imagined new possibilities. That dream must go on
— Adhere Cavince (@Cavinceworld) September 28, 2016

Shalom Shimon Peres..... a man who fought for peace and prosperity in one of the most difficult and dangerous corners of the Earth.
— David Thake (@davidthake) September 28, 2016

When I think of Shimon Peres,I think of a man full of #goodsense #peace #wisdom. Thanks Sir. #RipPeres pic.twitter.com/CaxqtNFhPj
— Sous le Baobab (@sous_le_baobab) September 28, 2016

'Crimes in Palestine'

Shimon Peres died without facing justice for his bloody crimes in Palestine and Lebanon. A tragedy for his victims, may they find peace.
— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) September 28, 2016

My obituary for Shimon Peres, the Israeli war criminal whose victims the West ignored. https://t.co/b08zS8Mosd pic.twitter.com/5qS8yXD3Sr
— Ben White (@benabyad) September 28, 2016

Shimon Peres has died. He joins the (long) list of Israeli military & political leaders who evaded accountability for their crimes.
— Ben White (@benabyad) September 28, 2016

To call Shimon Peres a man of peace besmirches the very concept of peace. Author of Qana massacre was #ManOfWarPeres https://t.co/ZvGzz2PAiT
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) September 28, 2016

En Europa nos creÃmos ese rollo del poli bueno de Shimon Peres . En Palestina sufrieron sus crÃmenes. pic.twitter.com/5RY4nJI3Sw
— De Gamonal al Mundo (@DeGamonalMundo) September 28, 2016

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