Sharon's body lies in state in preparation for state funeral
- 10 years ago
Israel marked the first full day of mourning for Ariel Sharon on Sunday.
The former Israeli prime minister died Saturday after eight years in a coma caused by a stroke. He was 85-years-old.
Sharon's coffin was transferred to the parliament in Jerusalem where it will lie in state.
Israeli President Shimon Peres, among other dignitaries, laid a wreath for the so-called warrior statesman who helped change the face of the Middle East.
He was a controversial figure for many.
But in the cafes of Tel Aviv, Israelis remembered him as a hero who helped found their nation state.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) NORTHERN ISRAELI RESIDENT ASHER ALUF, SAYING:
"We lost an Israel-loving figure, a great warrior, and we also lost the last of the Mohicans that Israel had."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) TEL AVIV RESIDENT KOBI HALPERIN, SAYING:
"We all feel that Ariel Sharon is kind of like our father and it almost feels like there is no replacement for that and I think i
The former Israeli prime minister died Saturday after eight years in a coma caused by a stroke. He was 85-years-old.
Sharon's coffin was transferred to the parliament in Jerusalem where it will lie in state.
Israeli President Shimon Peres, among other dignitaries, laid a wreath for the so-called warrior statesman who helped change the face of the Middle East.
He was a controversial figure for many.
But in the cafes of Tel Aviv, Israelis remembered him as a hero who helped found their nation state.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) NORTHERN ISRAELI RESIDENT ASHER ALUF, SAYING:
"We lost an Israel-loving figure, a great warrior, and we also lost the last of the Mohicans that Israel had."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) TEL AVIV RESIDENT KOBI HALPERIN, SAYING:
"We all feel that Ariel Sharon is kind of like our father and it almost feels like there is no replacement for that and I think i