Ariel “Arik” Sharon, the former prime minister and Israeli soldier who was blamed for massacres in the Israeli-Lebanon crisis, was considered the single figure responsible for the second Infitada in 2000 and, ultimately, led Israel out of Gaza in 2005, died early Saturday morning, January 11, from the effects of a massive stroke he suffered in January of 2006.
Ariel Sharon is pictured in Jerusalem with the Temple Mount in the background on July 24, 2000. (Flash90)
Doctors had been concerned for the past week due to Sharon’s vital signs ebbing, his organs beginning to fail and a report that he was suffering from blood poisoning.
A controversial figure for most of his political life, Sharon began his service to his homeland as a soldier. He only turned to politics at age 45, when he retired from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a major general.
Sharon’s exploits began as a freedom fighter before the Jewish State was declared in 1948. He fought in famous battles fought during the Six Day War in 1967 and the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
After leaving the IDF, he ran for political office and was immediately elected to the Knesset. He served as defense minister from 1981 to 1983 and was selected as prime minister from 2001 to 2006.
A state funeral was held on Mon., January 13 at Mt. Herzl, the resting place of Israel’s heroes.
