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Ariel Sharon, former Israeli prime minister, dies at 85
(Haaretz) – Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died Saturday after a significant deterioration in his medical condition over the past two weeks. Sharon, who was 85, was comatose for past eight years.
On January 4, 2006, Ariel “Arik” Sharon was at the height of his political power: His newly founded Kadima party had just beat the rival parties to a pulp in pre-elections polls, which predicted it securing 40 Knesset seats in the approaching election.
Then in a single moment, the 78-year-old Sharon fell from the political stage, suffering his second serious stroke within two-and-half weeks and bringing his electoral blitz to a halt. Israel’s prime minister was brought to Jerusalem’s Hadassah University Hospital in Ein Karem, and his illness soon became the focus of world attention in the frenzied 2006 Israeli elections campaign.
- ○ YnetNews – End of a era, Ariel Sharon dies at 85
○ The Guardian UK – Former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon dies after eight-year coma
My most recent diary about Sharon – The Bulldozer at the Gates of Hell.
My diary about Sharon in 2006 – Ariel Sharon Suffered Cerebral Hemorrhage ¶ Rushed Into ER.
After Gaza withdrawal, an astute plan – Breaking: Sharon Readies Plan for Total West Bank Pullout by ’08 ¶ Secret EU Report Nov. 25, 2005