May God bless you and your...
Valenda Newell
November 23, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
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Obituary
JERUSALEM (AP) - Ron Pundak, an Israeli academic and peace activist who was instrumental in initiating peace talks with the Palestinians in the 1990s, has died. He was 59.
Israeli media reported that Pundak died on Friday after a long illness.
Pundak helped initiate backdoor channels of communications with the Palestinians that paved the way for interim peace accords between the two sides.
The agreements - known as the Oslo Accords, after the secret talks in Norway that preceded them - created the Palestinian Authority and set up autonomous zones for the Palestinians.
The landmark talks ultimately failed to yield a final peace agreement and two decades later, peace remains elusive and the latest Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiation are in disarray. Israeli President Shimon Peres eulogized Pundak as a "warrior for peace," saying on Friday that Pundak "dedicated his entire adult life to the fight for peace between us and our neighbors."
"He was a passionate man for whom peace burned like an eternal flame," Peres said. "It is hard to describe our talks with the Palestinians without mentioning his contribution."
Peres said Pundak "never gave up" pushing for peace with the Palestinians, "even when the situation seemed desperate."
U.N. Mideast envoy Robert Serry issued a statement mourning Pundak's passing. "I knew Ron as somebody tirelessly working for peace," Serry said. "His legacy lives on in the hope that peace will one day be achieved and in the vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."
Pundak is survived by a wife and other family members. No details of funeral arrangements were immediately available.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Guest Book
I only found out about Ron's death today. Having met him for the last time in early spring during what was presumably his last trip to Europe I cannot really say I am surprised as at that time it seemed to be sheer willpower which kept him going. Over the past 6 years I met Ron on a number of occasions and could not fail to be impressed with his patent sincerity and determination not to stop struggling politically and personally in the face of what seemed to be overwhelming odds. My...
Michael Docherty
August 01, 2014 | European Commission, Brusse
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I was lucky enough to have Ron Pundak as my teacher. He always probed me to think about important issues with humility, patience, and diligence. He was a very unique and special man, who made his students feel like his equal. I feel his loss everyday.
May 14, 2014 | HERZLIYA
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"He will render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war anymore"--Isaiah 2:4. It was Ron's desire to see the fulfillment of this promise during his lifetime, and he worked tirelessly to achieve this on a small scale. As prospective citizens of God's Kingdom, we await patiently to live on a peaceful...
The Carters
April 21, 2014 | FL
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May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time in your lives. We all yearn for better conditions. It's refreshing to know that God's word speaks of a time when all sorrows will be gone and that mankind will live in beautiful surroundings with nothing to fear.-Isaiah 65:17,21
Shay
April 17, 2014
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Very sorry to hear of your great loss.
We all long for true peace Ron Pundak did.
God will bring about real peace and freedom from death for all mankind to enjoy.
RR
April 17, 2014 | Yonkers
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It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
April 13, 2014 | Ellenwood, GA
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Blessed are the peacemakers.
April 13, 2014
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With deepest condolences. We are never prepared for such a deep loss so I hope you find some comfort in the memories & joys you had and know sickness, pain and death that we deal with now will one day be no more for this has been promised to us.
April 13, 2014
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