WJC mourns Senator John McCain
The World Jewish Congress mourns the death of Senator John McCain, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 81.
John McCain Photo: Yahoo
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said: “I want to pay tribute to my friend Senator John McCain, a towering figure of American and international politics, who dedicated his life to serving his country, both as a heroic soldier and, of course, as a prolific senator.
“Throughout his career, John McCain worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people, sticking by his principles for a better country and a better world. He was also a reliable friend of the State of Israel and a great supporter of the Jewish people.
“John McCain was a unique and inspirational leader, the likes of whom we are unlikely to see again. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
On a visit to Vilnius in Lithuania, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “I wish to extend my condolences to the family of Senator John McCain, a great American patriot, a great friend of Israel. I have known John McCain for many many years, I visited him in the US Congress many times and he visited me in Jerusalem many many times, including in recent years. Israel never had a greater champion and a greater defender. The State of Israel salutes Senator John McCain.”
In Australia, Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry said: “John McCain was an authentic hero, who met all of the formidable challenges which life threw at him with unfailing courage, honour and dignity.
In his careers in the military and in politics he consistently placed service to his country and his fellow countrymen above his own personal interests. All of these attributes are as necessary for good leadership as they are rare. Above all, John McCain was a fine gentleman, a person of unfailing courtesy even in the most trying of circumstances. The accolades that have flowed from friend and foe alike following his recent passing are eloquent testimony to the calibre of the man.
Contemporary political leaders have much to learn from his example.
