My lords, I would like to add to the words of other noble lords

on what we might learn about the pursuit of peace in the Middle East

from the life of a man who did more than most to that end,

to the late Prime Minister and President of Israel, Shimon Peres. He was one of a remarkable

generation of Israel's founding fathers, who began as hawks and ended as doves, and who showed

no less courage in pursuit of peace than they had done in the course of war. He was the last of that generation, and the older he became, the younger his vision grew.

He never despaired of peace with the Palestinians, no matter how many times he failed.

In 1996, he set up the Paris Center to advance peace between Israel and the Palestinians

by bringing people together in their shared humanity.

Through medicine, healthcare, sport, the arts, business and the environment.

In July of this year, he launched the Israel Innovation Center to harness new communications technology

to build virtual bridges where physical ones did not yet exist. The last time I was with

him, he was already in his 93rd year and somebody asked him how he stayed so young. He

replied, first you have to count your achievements,

then you have to count your dreams. If your achievements outnumber your dreams, you are

already old. If your dreams outnumber your achievements, you are still young.

He lived the words of the prophet Jewell. I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your old men will dream dreams.

Your young men will see visions. Where others despaired, Shimon Peres, dream dreams. My lord's, W.V. Yeats,

once wrote, in dreams begin begin responsibilities now that Chim and

Perez is no longer with us his dreams have become our responsibilities what

if her majesty's government were to encourage others to see the Middle East the

way Chim and Perez did what if there are other paths to peace, beyond politics, diplomacy or war?

...