Obama: Wiesel Was 'One Of The Great Moral Voices'
WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) — President Barack Obama is praising author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel as "one of the great moral voices of our time, and in many ways, the conscience of the world."
Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial announced Saturday that Wiesel had died at the age of 87.
In a statement, Obama says he first came to know Wiesel through his account of the horror he endured simply because he was Jewish. Later, Obama says, he came to regard Wiesel as a dear friend.
Obama says he was especially grateful for talks they shared on topics ranging from the meaning of friendship to their shared commitment to the state of Israel.
Obama says Wiesel raised his voice, not just against anti-Semitism, but against hatred, bigotry and intolerance in all its forms.
Michael Zank, director of Boston University's Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies, said in a statement that Wiesel was his friend and colleague for many years.
"We are heartbroken at his passing," he said in the statement. "Boston University is losing an iconic teacher who brought an incredible intensity to every encounter with students and colleagues. It was a privilege to know and work with him. He will be missed."
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh posted to his Twitter account to acknowledge Wiesel's passing, saying he "reminded us we must stand up for what is right. We've lost a great man and I thank him for his contributions to BU & our society."
Elie Wiesel reminded us we must stand up for what is right. We've lost a great man and I thank him for his contributions to BU & our society
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) July 3, 2016
In a statement released early Saturday evening, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said, "It is with great sadness that I mourn the death today of Elie Wiesel. Wiesel was instrumental in teaching the world, and many of us locally, about the horror of the Holocaust and about humanity. Through his decades-long relationship with Boston University, he contributed immensely to the cultural life of the Commonwealth."
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