Israelis greet President Shimon Peres a at a celebration event in honor of his 90th birthday, in Jerusalem on Tuesday, June 18 (photo credit: Kobi Gideon/Flash90)

(Jerusalem, Israel) — “It was a love fest at Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday party Tuesday night, as world leaders, beloved performers and regular folk spoke, sang, and sent their messages of love and affection for the president, former prime minister, and Nobel Peace Prize winner,” reported the Times of Israel.

“Peres sat flanked by former US president Bill Clinton and Jewish stage diva Barbra Streisand on his right, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, on his left. Behind them was an auditorium full of who’s who in Israel and abroad, from actors Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone, Prince Albert of Monaco and Chicago mayor and former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel to IDF chief Benny Gantz, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, former prime minister Ehud Barak, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon and former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.”

“Former UK prime minister Tony Blair opened the festive evening at Jerusalem’s International Convention Center, commenting that he admires Peres as a leader and loves him as a friend. ‘We have a queen, you have Shimon,’ said Blair, referring to Peres’ ‘abiding love for the State of Israel,’ as well as him being a ‘man of passion and compassion.'”

“He’s also the best purveyor of a sound bite in politics, and I say that in front of Bill Clinton,” quipped Blair.