Israeli President Peres Visits Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Israeli President and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres is making an unprecedented visit to the Bay Area this week.
It will be the first time an incumbent Israeli President has visited the Bay Area and Israel's Consul General in San Francisco, Akiva Tor, said Peres has planned stops in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
"There's never been a visit to the Bay Area by a serving Israeli President. Shimon Peres is 88 years young and he's coming here primarily because he is very interested in innovation," said Tor. "He is also very interested in meeting the Jewish community here."
Peres is expected to meet with executives of Google and Facebook this week. He will also be addressing the public at San Francisco's Temple Emanu-El, where he will be joined by California Governor Jerry Brown. Tickets to that event on Tuesday night are already gone with a long waiting list in place.
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
Tor said that the Israeli President wants to connect with young Arabs to help advance chances for peace in the Middle East. His meeting with high-tech companies is part of that plan as he believes social media can play an important role in peace efforts.
Peres will be in the Bay Area through Thursday.
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