Israel’s Shimon Peres in Serious Condition After Stroke

Doctors said late Wednesday that Peres’ condition remained serious and stable and that the former president would remain in neurological intensive care for at least another 24 hours. He was taken by ambulance to the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan where he was initially listed in fair condition, but his health continued to deteriorate.

Peres, 93, also a former Israeli Prime Minister and a Nobel laureate, is in stable condition, receiving treatment and “is fully conscious”, the office said.

His personal doctor, Rafi Walden, told journalists that “I can say that he has shown clear improvement”.

“The 9th President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, suffered a major stroke today”, said Reiss. He was still sedated and breathing with a respirator, but doctors were seeking to reduce sedation to evaluate him and he was occasionally awake, Kreiss said.

“We understand the concern, we understand that people are interested in his situation and we promise to keep you updated as much as we can”, he said. The fact that Peres was responsive when the sedative dose was lowered gives some reason for optimism, but it’s too early to assess if he suffered any brain damage, Walden said.

The elder statesman is one of Israel’s most admired symbols and the last of its founding fathers. 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.

Over a seven-decade career, he’s held virtually every senior political office, including three stints as prime minister and extended terms as foreign, defence and finance minister.

Peres had a pacemaker device implanted last week after returning from a diplomatic conference in Italy.

As word of his stroke spread, Peres was showered with well wishes from political friends and foes alike.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticised by Peres in recent years, visited the hospital on Wednesday night, saying “we feel some relief. because this evening he is better than he was yesterday evening”.

Writing on Twitter, Netanyahu said, “Shimon, we love you and all the people wish you a [speedy] recovery”.

In January, Peres was hospitalised twice for heart trouble.

Despite his age, Peres has maintained an active public schedule, mostly through his non-governmental Peres Centre for Peace, which promotes closer ties between Israel and the Palestinians.

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro stated: “We sent our prayers to the former president and hope for his speedy recovery”.