'A man of peace'

OR AKIVA - Saying goodbye: An honor guard of present and past IDF generals, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, President Moshe Katsav, government ministers, Air Force officials, Israel's chief rabbis, and Palestinian representatives accompanied former President Ezer Weizman on his final journey Tuesday.

In accordance with his wishes, Israel’s seventh president was buried next to his son in the town of Or Akiva, instead of the Giants of the Nation section of the Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem.

זרים ליד ארון עזר ויצמן ב לוייה אור עקיבא (צילום: תומריקו)

Or Akiva residents lined the streets from the city’s cultural center, where Weizman lied-in-state, to the cemetery, showing one final honor to a man many called their “father.”

Vision and action

President Moshe Katsav eulogized Weizman, describing him as a man of vision and many deeds. Katsav said Weizman was one of the "leading figures that influenced the State of Israel's character."

"Ezer Weizman was among the most characteristic symbols of Israeliness," the president said.

The Palestinian Authority's Saeb Erekat told Ynet he will remember Weizman as a man of peace.

"He fought for peace and did everything for it," Erekat said, and expressed his hope for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The last attendees who arrived at the ceremony were Weizman's family members. His widow, Reuma stood by the coffin for long minutes with her grandson Yiftach.

Daughter delivers emotional speech

Both Reuma and Weizman's daughter, Michal, were able to maintain their composure throughout the ceremony.

Michal, who also read a long, emotional speech, finally allowed herself to break into tears as she hugged her mother after she finished speaking.

"All your deeds were accompanied with warmth and love," Michal said in her eulogy, referring to Weizman as "the father of an entire nation."

'A great man'

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also eulogized Weizman, saying generations of soldiers, pilots, and teenagers were taught Weizman's story, "which is the story of the Land of Israel."

"We will continue to hear your voice, which expresses faith and confidence in the future of Israel," Sharon said. "We walked a long road together…and took life and death decisions, in order to live here in peace and security."

Leading Druze figures were also on hand to pay their respects, saying Weizman offered his assistance to the country's Druze community over the years

"He was a man with peaceful views, who supported peace, and we greatly appreciate it," one Druze leader said.

Azzam Azzam, the Druze-Israeli recently released from Egyptian prison also spoke highly of Weizman, who engaged in intense efforts to secure Azzam's release.

"He is a great man, he will be greatly missed by the State of Israel in general and the Druze community in particular," Azzam said.