Former President of Israel Shimon Peres is in a delicate condition in a hospital near Tel Aviv after suffering a stroke.<br /><br /> The Nobel Peace laureate has been put into an induced coma, according to a statement from his office.<br /><br /> His doctors say he will be closely monitored in the coming hours.<br /><br /> He was reportedly conscious and stable when he was rushed to hospital on Tuesday evening, but has now been sedated and is breathing with the help of a respirator.<br /><br /> In politics since the founding of Israel in 1948, Peres has held almost every major political office, although he never won a general election outright in five attempts between 1977 and 1996. <br /><br /> The 93-year-old retired from political life in 2014, but has been publically active since, working for the Peres Centre for Peace which encourages closer links between Israelis and Palestinians.<br />
