What a pompous article. Too bad, Judaism doesn't have saints as obviously, Arik is one of the few (possibly only) people without blemish and deserving of sainthood. I am one of those whose lives were disrupted by the disengagement and I can very well understood those whose lives were nearly destroyed not being eager to forgive and forget. My anger has long dissapated, but that may be due to the fact that our family was able to rebuild, not everyone can.

at Ariel Sharon's funeral proving that it's not only the Right who disliked him. Obviously, the Right, the Nationalists, cannot forgive him and should not forgive him for the expulsion of almost 10,000 Jews most of whom are still suffering. The Left, despised him from day 1 and continued their hatred towards him even when he bended backwards to please them. Quite hypocritical for this leftists writer to write such an article full of bluff when they are to be blamed for Sharon's vegi state the last 8 years.

Yes, ashamed to read the comments of #1 and #2. Do you remember the Yom Kippur war? Do you remember Golda Meir's statement on the third night? We were in real danger of losing that war - and losing State of Israel and the Am (whole nation) with it. Who saved us? Arik Sharon!

There are now high times for israelski politicians (from all political specters) to claim Russian –Jewish ancestry. It seems to me that Russian roots are now representing some kind of dynastical nobility akin to West European aristocracy. Although laughable in israelsky mestechkovy culture, it can bring significant dividends during election cycle. Arik Sharon was one of the first politicians to exploit that. In early 90-s all Russian-language newspapers positioned him as an avid proponent of Russian language and culture. They for instance, wrote sentimental gue on how Arik missed his then diseased wife and their reading of Russian poetry books together. But the stubborn fact was that semi-literate soldier knew nothing of Russian language, let alone culture. Shaky claim-to-fame gave him his father’s ancestry traced to a city of Brest-Litovsk – then in Eastern Poland. Shmuel Scheinerman met his future wife Vera in Caucasian territory of Georgia. Most probably she’s of Georgian origin although rumors attribute her to Russian ‘Pyatidesyatniki’ sect. I personally, find it highly improbable for her being ethnically Russian. Then it makes Arik half-polani-half-gruzini. And that explains all of his negative character traits such as exaggerated ambitions, brag, adventurism, and deceit.

Beyond politics, no one can forget his contribution for the safety of Israel. He was a warrior, a dove , a herro.... but mostely he contributed through Israel our international recognition. He gave to the jewish people right to stand up and the right of speech. Mr. Sharon was not just a herro he was our father. May he be with G in peace.

If you save a childs' life not once not twice but 4 times and then shoot him cause he's in your way are you a saint?

And no one ever produced any hard evidence that the bodies found at Qibya actually died from buildings being demolished. No forensic examinations were performed on the bodies, only frivolous claims.

kind of nation honors a butcher? Nazi-zionists.

Be ashamed of me all you want. Arik Sharon was a military hero, however as Prime Minister he was responsible for a very controversial move, the disengagement. To Sharon, we were mere pawns in some chess game. He moved us around without any thought to what that would cause. When they decided to move the fish ponds in Eilat's waters, they waited three years until they could come up with some solution where the fish and fish farmers wouldn't suffer too much damage. When it came to the settlers of Gush Katif, we weren't given years to adjust to the idea.

This is the truth ,the emes ,a wonderful article. Of course ,Sharon made mistakes : WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. But he was the greatest general in the world and without his Israel would have been deep in " The Brown Stuff ."

In his demise, as in his life: 400kilos of wild boar, degenerates into 50 kilos of vegetable.

Arik was elected by the Right, and then proceeded to execute the Left's policies in order to please the Supreme Court and stay out of jail for his corruption. Kadima was a cesspool for every politician that was low on their party list and needed new oxygen, along with the journalists attached to them. Israel's political system is only now starting to recover with identifiable choices on the Left and Right again.

to all readers , gaza had to go . it was not tenable. 12000 soldiers guarding 8000 settlers . now the whole world knows gaza is ruled by terrorists . no one blames us any longer . we can safely ignore all pleas to withdraw from west bank . Arik's greatest victory was also his biggest controversy : withdrawal from gaza

No one that I know has ever claimed that Arik Sharon was a saint. He was a human being, a Jew and an Israeli. Above all, an Israeli. Like all of us he made mistakes. Does that make him any less of a hero for the Am?

Like all settlers you think of your group first and the rest of us, the majority, can just lump it, right? Please read #14 by israeli paratrooper. The vast majority of the people are not on the side of the settlers. We do not think that your settlements are necessary or even helpful. The opposite is true.