reactions on ariel sharon

Official reactions on the passing of Ariel Sharon

  •   Shimon Peres, PM Netanyahu and Avigdor Liberman react.
  • 1/12/2014
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    Photo: GPO

     

  • President Shimon Peres eulogized his friend, former Prime Minister Ariel 'Arik' Sharon, who passed away this afternoon

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    President Peres said of Sharon, "My dear friend, Arik Sharon, lost his final battle today. 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. He knew how to take difficult decisions and implement them. We all loved him and he will be greatly missed. I send my condolences to the Sharon family. May he rest in peace."

  • Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman on the passing of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

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    "Ariel Sharon served the State of Israel from its establishment until the last moment he could, taking part in the central events that shaped its character. Sharon will be remembered first of all as a great military leader who led many important battles, most importantly the crossing of the Suez Canal during the Yom Kippur War, as well as the battles of Israel's War of Independence and the establishment of the special 101 unit, the Sinai Campaign, and more.
    Sharon's political legacy has always been controversial, from his tenure as Chairman of the Ministerial Settlement Committee which strengthened Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, to the disengagement from Gaza which he initiated and implemented. He will go down in the history of Israel as one of the most noteworthy and influential figures."

  • PM Netanyahu Expresses Deep Sorrow on the Passing of Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

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    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses deep sorrow on the passing of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon:

    "The State of Israel bows its head on the passing of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Ariel Sharon played a central role in the struggle for the security of the State of Israel over all its years. He was, first and foremost, a courageous fighter and an outstanding general, and was among the IDF's greatest commanders. From his youth, he served the people of Israel on the battlefield. He did so as a soldier in the War of Independence, a commander in the [1956] Sinai campaign and the Six Day War, and up to his decisive role in the battle over the Suez Canal that led to the turning point in the Yom Kippur War. He established Unit 101 and took the initiative in the war against terrorism, which became a central pillar of the State of Israel. Upon leaving the military, he continued to work on behalf of the people of Israel both in his many government roles and as the 11th prime minister of the State of Israel. His memory will be enshrined forever in the heart of the nation."