Mandela’s Funeral: Netanyahu and Peres were thanked for coming

The organizers of the ceremony have been confused by reports of the changing composition of the Israeli delegation to the funeral of Nelson Mandela. After Obama’s speech, the event organizer thanked the Israeli President and Prime Minister for coming, even though they stayed at home. Edelstein: “I’m proud of our diverse delegation.”

Dec 10, 2013, 07:30PM | Rivka Salomon

"I'm proud of the diversity of the Israeli delegation" Photo Credit: Channel 2

The organizer of Nelson Mandela’s funeral, former South African Deputy President Baleka Mbete, who administered the gathering with great talent but did not notice a mistake uttered.  After Obama’s speech yet prior to that of the Brazilian President, Mbete thanked other leaders who came to Mandela’s funeral, including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli President Peres that weren’t there.
 Mbete likely received a non-updated guest list and read out: “Thank you to the Israeli delegation, President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that came to the ceremony.”  The two, however, were not present at the event. 
 Unlike Netanyahu and Peres, Chairman of the Israeli delegation Yuli Edelstein and five other Knesset members, Penina Tamanu-Shata (Yesh Atid), Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), Gila Gamliel (Likud), Hilik Bar (Labor), and Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid).  Edelstein stated upon his arrival, “I am proud of the diversity of the Israeli delegation sent to the funeral, as the story of Mandela is the story for the other and the right to be different.”
 “The people of Israel will remember Mandela as abandoning violence in his just struggle for the equality of whites and blacks.  I hope the day will come when the regions leaders will neglect terrorism just like Mandela and chose dialogue in order to achieve peace with Israel,” Edelstein added.
 Edelstein and five Knesset members represent Israel
 Netanyahu and Peres didn’t come to the ceremony after two embarrassing days whether it was not clear whether Israel would be represented in any way.  Ultimately, the one who represented Israel was Yuli Edelstein alongside five Knesset members.   The saga over the Israeli representation at the ceremony became complicated in recent days, after it was learnt that Netanyahu would not fly to South Africa because of the high cost of him flying there and securing the place among 7 million mourners.   It was reported that Israeli President Peres would represent Israel, but that was canceled because he had the flu.   
 However, the funeral was attended by over 90 heads of state.  Dozens of other countries sent delegations to South Africa led by ministers and junior level representatives.  The United States is represented by Barack Obama.  The event included a host of celebrities, including Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey.