Upon learningthat 93 year old statesman and former Israeli President Shimon Peres hassuffered a massive stroke, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for HolocaustStudies (FSWC) released the following statement:

"FSWChosted Mr. Peres at the Spirit of Hope Benefit at the end of May and I believethat was his most recent speaking engagement in Canada. He was quite aneloquent and passionate speaker, and we are devastated to learn that he is nowin grave condition. Mr. Peres, a genuine pioneer of the nascent Jewish state,is a true global icon whose voice on behalf of peace and tolerance mustcontinue. As he receives treatment in hospital I join his family, the people ofIsrael and Jewish communities around the world in praying for his "RefuahShlema" - a full recovery and good health."

-Avi Benlolo, President & CEO,   
   Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center forHolocaust Studies

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Contact 
Stacey L. Starkman 
Director of Communications & External Relations 
416.864.9735 x 32 - office / sstarkman@fswc.ca 

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is a leading Canadian non-profit human rights foundation directly representing over 30,000 members. FSWC is committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, the Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed new Tour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles, which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca

Canadian Headquarters: Toronto  
Branches: Los Angeles • New York • Chicago • Paris • Buenos Aires • Israel