Jerusalem

On Friday 30 September 2016, at Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove were welcomed to the State of Israel by the Australian Ambassador to Israel, His Excellency Mr Dave Sharma.

In the morning, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended a briefing with the Australian Ambassador.

Afterwards, at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, following the passing of the former President of the State of Israel, Mr Shimon Peres, conveyed the condolences of the Government and people of Australia to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Later, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove met with other world leaders attending the funeral service including: President of the United States of America, the Honourable Barack Obama; President of the Republic of Bulgaria, His Excellency Rosen Plevneliev; President of Mexico, His Excellency Enrique Peña Nieto; His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales; Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau; Prime Minister of Italy, the Honourable Matteo Renzi; Prime Minister of the Netherlands, the Honourable Mark Rutte; former President of the United States of America, the Honourable Bill Clinton; and former Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, the Honourable Tony Blair and the Honourable David Cameron.

Then, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended the state memorial service in honour of the late Shimon Peres.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended the state funeral service for the late Shimon Peres.

In the afternoon, at the Israeli President's Residence, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove met with the President of the State of Israel, His Excellency Mr Reuven Rivlin and Mrs Nechama Rivlin.

In the evening, in Jerusalem, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a dinner for Australian Embassy officials.