Israel’s peace camp is mourning Uri Savir, who passed away on Friday at the age of 69. Best known in Israel for the central role he played in negotiating the Oslo Accords, Savir continued in the post-Oslo years to promote peace and coexistence in different forums.

The son of one of Israel’s first diplomats, Savir joined the Foreign Ministry shortly after completing his studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In the early 1980s, he began his role as a senior associate of then-Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, engaging in contacts between Peres and several Arab leaders.

In 1993, Peres appointed Savir director general of the Foreign Ministry. It was in that role that Savir served as Israel’s chief negotiator vis-à-vis the Palestinians during the Oslo process, setting out to achieve a final status peace agreement with the PLO.

Commenting on Savir's passing, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid tweeted May 14, "Today we lost a great diplomat ... A man who devoted his life to Israeli foreign policy and aspired to a different Middle East. He did so with great faith and great talent. His contribution to the State of Israel is enormous and is felt to this day."

Former US ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk wrote, "Deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Uri Savir, the smartest, most charming, most dedicated, most creative peacemaker Israel has known. Farewell dear friend."

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/05/uri-savir-key-negotiator-oslo-accords-passes-away-69