Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
The 11th prime minister of Israel Ariel Sharon’s funeral began on January 12th. Tens of thousands came to the Knesset building where the coffin is placed. MPs and members of the government alternate in the escort of honor.
The official ceremony began on January 13th. By that time numerous official guests from various countries arrived in Israel. The majority of countries sent their foreign ministers. The USA was presented by the vice president Joseph Biden; Russia – by the chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin. The former prime minister Tony Blair arrived together with the official delegation of the UK.
Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, the Knesset speaker Yli Edelstein, Joseph Biden, Tony Blair, and others addressed participants of the official funeral ceremony. President Peres, who used to be one of the main opponents of Ariel Sharon for years, couldn’t help but cry. “We are laying to rest a man who was a guarantor for Israeli security for many years. He was a warrior and a leader who was able to fulfill even impossible plans,” Peres said.
One of the brightest speeches was made by Tony Blair: “It was very difficult to provide official negotiations with Ariel Sharon. He repeated one and the same thing and didn’t want to change his position which reflected interests of Israel, from his point of view. Once I told him: “Arick, stop repeating this! I am not stupid, I got it!” Sharon replied: “Yes, but only after I repeated it for several times.” I remember I invited Sharon to a nonofficial dinner and found out he was an absolutely different person – he enjoyed life, made jokes, was a wonderful family man… Today we say goodbye to a man who was a great warrior of his nation. At the same time, he was a great politician who realized that the future of people cannot be provided for only by military means.”
The funeral procession moved from the Knesset to Latrun where the Museum of Armored Forces of Israel is situated. Sharon served in the forces. Representatives of the Israeli Army command, former fellow soldiers of Sharon, and heroes of Israel took part in the official military funerals.
Then, the funeral procession went to the family farm of Shikmim where Ariel Sharon’s wife Lily is buried. His will was to be buried here, when his wife died.
Even though private cars were forbidden to enter the territory of the farm and neighborhood, thousands of people from neighboring towns and villages passed several miles to bid farewell to Sharon.
Eight generals carried the coffin to its grave. General Beni Hanz who spoke at the funeral said: “You may rest in peace, Arick. We promise to be devoted to your lessons and provide security of our country in its every corner.”
During all ceremonies which were connected with the funeral reinforced security was undertaken in Israel; the missile defense system of Iron Dome was launched near the family farm of the Sharons in case of a possible missile attack from Gaza.
The measures were taken because information on Sharon’s death was perceived in Gaza as a national holiday. People danced and sang on the streets. The leadership of Iran was also satisfied with Sharon’s death, as well as the terrorist organization of Hezbollah. According to Hezbollah leaders, Sharon was a military criminal and they are sorry that he died without being punished for his crimes.
At the same time, representatives of radical right-wing circles of Israel also expressed satisfaction from Sharon’s death, calling him “a betrayer of Israeli nation.”
Nevertheless, the story of life of the great man is over. However, I believe it will always attract historians, writers, political scientists, as Sharon was one of the brightest people in the history of our planet in the second half of the 20th and the early 21st centuries.
