Monday, January 13, 2014

Israel holds burial service for Ariel Sharon

Israel is holding the burial service of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at his family ranch in the Negev desert.
Earlier, speakers at the state memorial described him as an "indomitable" man devoted to the security of his people.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "one of the greatest military commanders the Jewish people have had".
Mr Sharon, regarded by many Israelis as a great statesmen but widely loathed in the Arab world, died on Saturday aged 85 after eight years in a coma.
Thousands of mourners paid their final respects on Sunday, when Mr Sharon's coffin lay in state outside parliament - the Knesset - in Jerusalem.
'Giant of this land'
Amid final prayers, Mr Sharon's coffin was placed in a plot at the Sycamore ranch he owned near Sderot, close to Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden and Tony Blair were among those to pay tribute to the former PM at the memorial
He lies beside his wife Lili, who died in 2000.
Security was tight as a group of eight serving generals carried the coffin on the final stage of the journey.
Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Benny Gantz said in a speech: "Generations of soldiers came to salute you for the last time today... I came to salute you too."
Earlier, some 20 foreign delegates and hundreds of Israeli dignitaries attended the state memorial service.
They included US Vice-President Joe Biden, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Middle East international envoy Tony Blair, Czech PM Jiri Rusnok and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Military service at Latrun, 13 JanAfter the memorial, a military service was held at Latrun
Ariel Sharon in 1973 at the Suez CanalSharon was a soldier for many years, playing a major role in 1973 war, before he entered politics
Delivering the first speech at the memorial, President Shimon Peres said Mr Sharon was a "living military legend" who also always dreamed of peace for Israel.
He said Mr Sharon's shoulders had "borne the weight of the security of our people".
Mr Netanyahu said Mr Sharon's "unique contribution to the security of the state is engraved in our historical writings", adding: "Your memory will be part of this nation forever."

No comments:

Post a Comment