Peres, 93, is in severe but stable condition, and is intubated and sedated, following Tuesday’s stroke, said Dr. Yitshak Kreiss, manager of Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, where Peres is being treated.
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Peres has held almost every high political office in Israel over a 55-year political career, including three terms as prime minister, plus posts as foreign minister finance minister and deputy defense minister.
The dosage of sedation for former Israeli President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres following his stroke has been reduced, and he has “responded very well”, Rafi Valden, Peres’ son-in-law and personal doctor, told reporters Wednesday. He said he hopes Peres will soon “resume making his clear, smart and enlightened voice heard”.
“He woke up, opened his eyes, and understood what we told him”.
It’s a testament to Peres’ global appeal as a symbol of peace that he would elicit get- well wishes from individuals as varied as former National Basketball Association star Amar’e Stoudemire and Norway’s foreign affairs minister. Peres, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his role in developing the Oslo Accords, was known for his efforts to create and sustain peace in the Middle East.
“His condition is stable and he is fully conscious”, the statement said. But a wave of Palestinian suicide attacks left Peres struggling to defend the peace process, ultimately costing him the next election.
Mr Peres was taken to hospital on Tuesday after feeling ill, and after a battery of tests was found to have suffered a stroke.
Dr Zeev Feldman, president of the Israeli Neurosurgical Association and involved in Mr Peres’ treatment, said “the fact that he regained consciousness gives us some cautious optimism”.
He had remained active since completing his seven-year term as president in 2014, refusing to bow into retirement. In the video, he appears tired but is otherwise alert and coherent.
Israel’s ninth president received a pacemaker last week, his office said.
“Some situation may happen and that is why he is in intensive care”, he said. Early this year, Peres was twice hospitalized for heart problems but quickly released.
Before becoming president, he dedicated much of his time to promoting peace between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab world through his Peres Center for Peace.
The chief rabbis of Israel have called on the public to pray for Mr Peres’ recovery.
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“I think that I speak for the entire Israeli people, as well as for many people outside Israel, who feel a certain relief this evening”, the prime minister said. We are receiving a huge number of messages from Israel and overseas from all our friends who are surrounding us with love and care.
