WASHINGTON (JTA) — Queen Elizabeth II conferred a knighthood on Shimon Peres.
"I was very moved to be an emissary to receive this honor on behalf of the State of Israel," the Israeli president said after the ceremony Thursday.
The Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George is conferred on those who have rendered services relating to foreign relations, and has often been used to honor non-Britons. It does not come with a title.
Previous recipients include Bono, the Irish philanthropist and rock star, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and the late President Ronald Reagan.
Peres also met with Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, and Prince Charles. He asked the prince to help bring about Red Cross access to Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held captive in the Gaza Strip since 2006.
