“I want to pay tribute to my friend Senator John McCain, a towering figure of American and international politics, who dedicated his life to serving his country, both as a heroic soldier and, of course, as a prolific senator,' said Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress on Sunday evening in a release. “Throughout his career, John McCain worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people, sticking by his principles for a better country and a better world.' continues Lauder. 'He was also a reliable friend of the State of Israel and a great supporter of the Jewish people.' Senator John McCain died at 81 on Saturday night, after a losing battle with aggressive cancer. McCain, a Republican from Arizona, was a prominent political figure and advocate of Israel, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2008. “John McCain was a unique and inspirational leader, the likes of whom we are unlikely to see again. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” concludes the WJC statement.
