RIP Ariel Sharon
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 7:49 am
The Israeli military hero and former Prime Minister died Saturday after a long illness.
Former prime minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85
In the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Gen. Sharon was the commander of the IDF division that defeated the Egyptian Army in the Sinai Desert, turning the possible annihilation of Israel into a huge victory.
Gen. Sharon then entered politics, becoming a leader of the right-wing Likud party. As Agriculture Minister, he supported the growth of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. He became Defense Minister, and was in charge of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon in 1982; the Arabs never forgave him for that, and few are mourning him today.
Gen. Sharon was elected Prime Minister in 2001. Eventually, he changed his hard-line views and pursued peace with the Palestinians. He broke with Likud and formed a new centrist party called Kadima ("Forward").
In January 2006, Gen. Sharon had a massive stroke. He was hospitalized and unconscious for eight years until he died.
Gen. Sharon will be remembered for his courage and willingness to take risks, on the battlefield and in the quest for peace.
Former prime minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85
In the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Gen. Sharon was the commander of the IDF division that defeated the Egyptian Army in the Sinai Desert, turning the possible annihilation of Israel into a huge victory.
Gen. Sharon then entered politics, becoming a leader of the right-wing Likud party. As Agriculture Minister, he supported the growth of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. He became Defense Minister, and was in charge of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon in 1982; the Arabs never forgave him for that, and few are mourning him today.
Gen. Sharon was elected Prime Minister in 2001. Eventually, he changed his hard-line views and pursued peace with the Palestinians. He broke with Likud and formed a new centrist party called Kadima ("Forward").
In January 2006, Gen. Sharon had a massive stroke. He was hospitalized and unconscious for eight years until he died.
Gen. Sharon will be remembered for his courage and willingness to take risks, on the battlefield and in the quest for peace.