During a lecture this morning, former President Shimon Peres, who turned 93 today, was interrupted for a surprise birthday celebration in front of hundreds of soldiers and officers of the Military Intelligence Research Division: the soldiers took to the stage, sang “Happy Birthday”, and presented him with a cake with candles shaped like a 93 on it.

Head of Research Gen. Dror Shalom presented Peres with a gift on behalf of the IDF, a “Shofar” (a ram’s horn blown by Jews on the high holidays and during war in Biblical times), on which a verse from the book of Ezekiel was inscribed: “And he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the horn to warn the people.”

Shalom said: “As someone who was a key partner in building the country and its security system, this is the natural place to wish you a happy birthday. You are one of the most influential actors in national security and a great source of pride for us.”

Peres emotionally thanked the soldiers and said: “I’m not so young anymore, but I see you before me and know that we can expect a bright future. I am very proud of the army and proud of its commanders. You are the best gift I could have asked for.” He added with a smile: “If I could borrow some of your youth I would do it, but they have not yet invented a bank for that. I thank you”.