79 years old
Photo: Reuters
Happy Birthday, Sharon
Colleagues, including Olmert, extend birthday wishes to former prime minister, who turns 79, remains hospitalized
"(Former Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon is with me in spirit during trying times. I hope and pray that one day, he will return and I wish him a full recovery for his birthday," said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of his predecessor.
Monday night the comatose former leader turned 79. This year, instead of a party, friends and family members gathered in Sharon's hospital wing.
Olmert did not visit the hospital, but told Ynet that Sharon was "first and foremost a father and grandfather, who is missed most by his family. He is missed by the people of Israel, who over the years, learned to respect and love him."
Other associates of the former premier said that Sharon's absence was felt deeply, by them personally and by the nation.
Other birthday wishes
Ilan Cohen, the former director-general of the prime minister's office, and his right-hand man, spoke of Sharon's supportiveness. "I knew he would have my back…He would say, you do what you need to do, I'll do the rest."
"I miss his laughter and his cynicism. Behind closed doors, we would joke around about everything. He's a great man and I miss him," he added.
Sharon's strategic advisor Lior Horev said "I wish upon us Sharon's experience, his patience, his sense of history and his willingness to do more than please the upcoming news headline. Sharon's birthday illustrates how much we and this nation truly miss him."
Sharon's political advisor Erez Halfon, who currently serves as the Director-General of the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, said "everyone asked me to convey best wishes, when I went to the hospital. People from all walks of life, from high justices to random people in the office."
"They asked to say that they love him and have not forgotten him," he said.
