2017-09-12 Tue

The Israel Postal Company in union with Israel Philatelic services issued a special Shimon Peres memorial stamp to mark the first death anniversary of the ninth president of Israel.

Moving on to the designs, the stamp is valued at NIS 2.40 and features a portrait of Peres against a library backdrop in recognition of his love of books. There are also national emblems; Peres’s name in Hebrew, Arabic, and English; the years of his birth and death; and the word Israel in the three languages.

Limor Peretz-Samia designed the stamp and the first-day cover was designed by Tal Huber and Sharon Blinkov.

A ceremony was held at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation where the stamp was unveiled. Amongst the attendees were Communications Minister Ayoub Kara; Hezi Zaieg, chairman of the board of directors of the IPC; Danny Goldstein, director-general of IPC; Elhanan Shapira, the head of IPS; Chemi Peres, chairman of the Peres Center; and members of the Peres Center staff.

Kara said it was entirely fitting to have a stamp in memory of Shimon Peres, as he had been appointed Israel’s first minister of communication in 1970. To produce a stamp in his honor was akin to closing a circle, said Kara, who described Peres as “a statesman par excellence”.

Kara spoke of Peres’s contribution to Israel’s defense network in encouraging inventive creativity to enhance Israel’s defensive capabilities; the nuclear reactor in Dimona and the Negev Nuclear Research Center; the conceiving and promotion of Israel’s Defense Industries; Israel’s development as an innovative technological and scientific powerhouse; and Israel’s stable economy.

Kara also added that Shimon Peres’s effort to maintain peaceful relations with Israel’s neighbours was commendable. He also said that everyone owes him deep gratitude.

Shimon’s son Chemi was humbled by the issuing of the stamp and said it is a very moving and appropriate tribute.

Chemi took a gentle barb at the slowdown in postal services since such services were privatized. He said “my father had no patience. He was too quick and too sharp. So, get ready, because the envelopes with the Shimon Peres stamps on them will move faster than anything you ever imagined.