Peres awarded US Medal of Freedom and US visit

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On Wednesday, President Shimon Peres was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom-- the highest civilian award the United States government can bestow upon an individual. In a gala dinner held in
Washington in Peres' honor, US President Barack Obama praised the Israeli president's legacy and efforts on behalf of peace. Accepting the award, Peres said he was profoundly moved by the honor, adding
that it was "a testament to the historic friendship" between Israel and the US.


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US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta hosted President Shimon Peres at the Pentagon on Monday, saying that military cooperation between the US and Israel was stronger than it has ever been as well as stable and
ongoing. Peres visited the Pentagon as part of a multi-day visit to the US in which he is scheduled to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Barack Obama. In addition to meeting Panetta, Peres took part in a roundtable discussion with other senior US officials, including US military chief Gen. Martin Dempsey. Peres took the opportunity to voice Israel's concerns about Iran potentially obtaining nuclear weapons, accusing the Islamic Republic of desiring to "take control of the Middle East" as part of its religiously inspired imperialistic ambitions.