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Former Israeli leader Shimon Peres rushed to hospital after stroke

By Doug G. Ware
Shimon Peres, Israel's president between 2007 and 2014, speaks to reporters after meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in 2014. On Tuesday, the 93-year-old Peres was hospitalized in Tel Aviv after experiencing a stroke. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Shimon Peres, Israel's president between 2007 and 2014, speaks to reporters after meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in 2014. On Tuesday, the 93-year-old Peres was hospitalized in Tel Aviv after experiencing a stroke. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Former Israeli President Shimon Peres was rushed to a hospital in Tel Aviv on Tuesday after having a stroke.

Peres, 93, was taken to Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer in serious condition, where he was sedated and put on a respirator. He was also awaiting a CT scan as doctors attempted to diagnose the trouble, Haaretz reported.

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Shimon's office said earlier he was conscious and stable, the Jerusalem Post reported.

"There was some doubt about whether he needed to be taken to hospital. We decided not to take any risks," Peres' private physician, Rafi Valdan, said.

"We wish you, our dear former president, Shimon Peres, a speedy recovery and swift return to voicing your clear words of wisdom," Isaac Herzog, chairman of the Israeli opposition Labor party, wrote online Tuesday.

Peres' hospitalization comes just a week after he had a pacemaker implanted and weeks after he was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. In January, he suffered a heart attack and underwent an artery-clearing procedure.

Peres served as Israeli president between 2007 and 2014 and served three short stints as prime minister during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He also served in several other Cabinet posts, including defense minister, finance minister and foreign minister.

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