Editing Shimon Peres (section)

=== Technology ===

Peres is regarded as one of the founders of Israel's technology sector. Through personal meetings with the French government, he established collaboration treaties with France's nuclear industry in 1954. In 1958, he founded the re-organized [[RAFAEL Armament Development Authority]],<ref>{{cite web|title=President Shimon Peres - Seventy years of public service|url=http://www.president.gov.il/english/thepresident/pages/cv.aspx|access-date=29 September 2016|archive-date=1 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001102734/http://www.president.gov.il/english/thepresident/pages/cv.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>  under the MOD's jurisdiction. From his desk he would control all aspects of Israel's nuclear program (first as director general and after 1959 as deputy minister).<ref>''The Worst-Kept Secret: Israel's Bargain with the Bomb'', By Avner Cohen (Columbia University Press, 2013), page 173</ref> In the 1980s, he is credited with having laid the economic foundations for Israel's start-up economy.<ref>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/shimon-peres-urged-israel-to-dream-and-innovate How Shimon Peres laid the foundation for Start-up Nation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929144910/http://www.timesofisrael.com/shimon-peres-urged-israel-to-dream-and-innovate/ |date=29 September 2016 }} By NIV ELIS, Jerusalem Post, 29 September 2016</ref> In later years, he developed an obsessive fascination with [[nanotechnology]] and [[brain research]].<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/A-politician-and-a-statesman-467854 My Word: Memories of reporting on the life and times of Shimon Peres.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930201132/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/A-politician-and-a-statesman-467854 |date=30 September 2016 }} By LIAT COLLINS, Jerusalem Post, 15 September 2016</ref> He believed that brain research would be the key to a better and more peaceful future.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/05/09/better-brain-research-wil_n_1503124.html Better brain research will make a better world: Israeli President Shimon Peres] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002103729/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/05/09/better-brain-research-wil_n_1503124.html |date=2 October 2016 }} Canadian Press, By Diana Mehta, 5 September 2012</ref> He launched his own nanotechnology investment fund in 2003, raising $5 million in the first week.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/peres-nanotechnology-fund-starts-off-with-5-million-1.93279 Peres' Nanotechnology Fund Starts Off With $5 Million] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002171058/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/peres-nanotechnology-fund-starts-off-with-5-million-1.93279 |date=2 October 2016 }} Oded Hermon 6 July 2003, Haaretz</ref> In 2016, he founded the 'Israel innovation center' in the Arab neighbourhood of [[Ajami, Jaffa]]. The center aims to encourage young people from around the world to be inspired by technology. Laying its foundation stone on 21 July 2016, Peres said: “We will prove that innovation has no limits and no barriers. Innovation enables dialogue between nations and between people. It will enable all young people – Jews, Muslims and Christians — to engage in science and technology equally."<ref>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/peres-center-aims-to-showcase-israel-tech-spark-dreams New Peres center to showcase Israel tech, spark dreams] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927011610/http://www.timesofisrael.com/peres-center-aims-to-showcase-israel-tech-spark-dreams/ |date=27 September 2016 }} Times of Israel, 21 July 2016</ref>