Death and funeral of Ariel Sharon

Ariel Sharon at The Pentagon, 2001.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died on 11 January 2014.[1] His death received number of international responses. His state funeral was held on 13 January in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

Funeral

United States Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the State Funeral of Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem on January 13, 2014.

Sharon suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on 4 January 2006,[2] and remained in a long-term care facility in a vegetative state from late 2006 until his death.[3] Sharon died at 14:00 on 11 January 2014.[4][5]

A state funeral was held on 13 January in accordance with Jewish burial customs, which require that interment takes place as soon after death as possible. Sharon's body lay in state in the Knesset Plaza on 12 January until an official state ceremony attended by dignitaries and world leaders held in the Knesset chamber on 13 January followed by burial at the family's ranch.[6][7][8] The prime minister's office issued a statement that announced public viewing 18:00 on 12 January at the Knesset Plaza. Foreign dignitaries who attended the official service included U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Czech Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, among others.[9]

Ariel and Lily Sharon's graves.

Burial location

Sharon was buried next to his wife, Lily, on the family ranch, Havat Shikmim (Sycamore Ranch) in the Negev Desert. According to author Izzeldin Abuelaish, the Palestinian village of Houg was located there before the establishment of the State of Israel.[10] The property was purchased by Sharon in 1972, who established a 1,000 acre sheep farm there.[11]

In the days after the funeral, many members of the public flocked to the burial site, on Anemone Hill, to pay their last respects.[12]

Reactions

Israel and Palestine

Israeli president Shimon Peres, referring to Sharon by his nickname, said:

Arik was a brave soldier and a daring leader who loved his nation and his nation loved him. He was one of Israel's great protectors and most important architects, who knew no fear and certainly never feared vision.[13]

Other Israeli politicians who paid tribute to Sharon included Benjamin Netanyahu,[4] Justice Minister Tzipi Livni,[4] Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon,[4] and former prime minister Ehud Olmert.[4] Isaac Herzog, leader of the opposition Israeli Labor Party, said: "Ariel Sharon will be remembered as a great leader. For many years we were in opposing camps, but it's impossible not to appreciate a man who could change his worldview and recognize the correct path for the State of Israel."[4]

Leading Palestinian political figure Mustafa Barghouti said that while no one should gloat over his death, Sharon had taken "a path of war and aggression" and had left "no good memories with Palestinians".[14][15] Hamas rejoiced at the death of a "criminal" who had "hands ... covered with Palestinian blood."[15][16]

International

References

  1. "Scientists say comatose former Israeli leader Ariel Sharon shows 'robust' brain activity". Fox News Channel. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  2. "Middle East | Sharon's stroke blood 'drained'". BBC News. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  3. "Sharon leaves intensive care unit". BBC News. 6 November 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Israel mourns Sharon's passing; Netanyahu: He was a 'brave warrior'". Ha'aretz. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  5. "Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon dead at 85". Reuters. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  6. "Obama: U.S. joins Israeli people in honoring Sharon's commitment to his country". Ha'aretz. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  7. "Former prime minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85". The Jerusalem Post. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  8. "Israel's Ariel Sharon dies at 85". Al Jazeera. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  9. "Thousands pay last respects to Ariel Sharon". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  10. "Palestinian history buried with Ariel Sharon". Toronto Star. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  11. Ariel Sharon 1928-2014, Benny Morris
  12. A day after his burial, Sharon's grave is a pilgrimage site
  13. "Former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon dies after eight-year coma". The Guardian. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  14. Yolande Knell (11 January 2014). "Israel's ex-PM Ariel Sharon dies, aged 85". BBC. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "World Leaders React to the Death of Ariel Sharon". ABC News. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  16. "Hamas: We feel 'extreme happiness' at Sharon death". ITV News. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  17. "Friends and enemies weigh in on legacy of Ariel Sharon, dead at 85". CTV News. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Les Occidentaux rendent hommage à Sharon, un "criminel" pour les Palestiniens" [Westerners pay tributes to Sharon, a "criminal" to the Palestinians]. Le Nouvel Observateur.
  19. "Líderes del mundo se pronunciaron ante muerte del israelí Ariel Sharon". El Pais. Colombia. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014.
  20. "Fijian PM pays tribute to former Israel Prime Minister", Islands Business, 16 January 2014
  21. The world reacts to Ariel Sharon's death 12 January 2014
  22. Manmohan Singh condoles former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon's death, recalls his 'bold steps' for peace 12 January 2014
  23. "Shivraj Tweet". Inagist.com. 17 December 1982. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  24. "Iran's Khamenei responds to Sharon's death". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  25. "Israel: Minister Bonino’s condolences on the death of Ariel Sharon". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  26. "México lamenta muerte de Ariel Sharon" [Mexico mourns the death of Ariel Sharon]. Televisa (in Spanish). 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  27. Death of Ariel Sharon: the world reacts 11 January 2014
  28. "PM Lee sends condolences on Sharon's death". Channel NewsAsia. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  29. Bildt kommenterar Sharon-tweet, Expressen, 12 January 2014.
  30. "Tweet of Hüseyin Çelik about Sharon's death". Twitter. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  31. "No condolences from Turkey for Sharon's death". Today's Zaman. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  32. "David Cameron pays tribute to 'significant' Ariel Sharon". BBC News. BBC. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  33. http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/barack-obama-statement-on-ariel-sharon-death-102058.html#ixzz2q8s3o2Z7
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