Israel's Peres in Critical But Stable Condition after Massive Stroke

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Former Israeli President Shimon Peres was in critical but stable condition after being admitted to hospital Tuesday evening, suffering what was called a "massive stroke."

According to professor Rafi Valdan, Peres' personal physician and also his son-in-law, Peres had given a one-hour speech on Tuesday morning and felt fine.  Afterwards, he had a "vague headache" and was taken to the hospital for a check-up. There he had a stroke in the right side of his brain.

Valdan told journalists in a conference call on Wednesday morning that Peres was currently sedated and on a respirator.  Earlier, medical staff had lessened the sedation and Peres had responded to simple commands, he said.

His "chances of survival are pretty good" because he's stable, Valdan said.

Gordon Robertson, CEO of the Christian Broadcasting Network, said he said the entire CBN  ministry is praying for his recovery, adding that Peres is a man of peace and "great strength."

"The CBN family joins with the global, Christian community in praying for Shimon Peres. Mr. Peres has always been one of Israel's most brilliant and brightly shining lights. He has been his nation's calm, guiding hand through many challenges as well as through times of unprecedented prosperity," he said.

"He has given all peace-loving people around the world hope in some of our bleakest hours, working tirelessly to build bridges and forge alliances many thought impossible," he said. "He is truly a man of peace. He is also a man of great strength and resolve who has stood with an iron fist against countless acts of anti-Semitism, drawing from his own story, and fighting endless efforts to disenfranchise the Jewish people."

"Israel and our world need his type of leadership now more than at perhaps any other time in my memory. It is with hopeful hearts that we wait and pray for his recovery," he said.

Within Israel, the 93-year-old Peres is considered both Israel's elder statesman as well as a controversial figure.

Peres, Israel's ninth president, served in many political roles over the years, including defense minister, foreign minister, and three times as prime minister.

He is perhaps best known for secretly negotiating the Oslo Accords, which laid the foundation for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The Declaration of Principles was signed on the White House lawn in 1993.

Peres won the Nobel Peace Prize together with PLO leader Yasser Arafat for that agreement in 1994.

What is perhaps less known is that in 1974 he was among those who tried to establish the first Israeli settlement on the ruins of Sebastia in the northern West Bank after biblical Judea and Samaria came back into Israeli hands as a result of the 1967 Six-Day War.

Valdan said the family was moved by and appreciative of the support. He said Peres was "not only a great leader (but a) great teacher of optimism."

The Times of Israel reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Peres a quick recovery.

"Shimon, we love you and the entire nation wishes you get well," he tweeted.

Peres' son, Chelmi, said in a statement on Tuesday that "there was nothing more important to my father than Israel and its people. My father is one of a kind."

He said he was praying for him and asked that "all those that pray to continue to pray with us. We thank everyone for your love and care."