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Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Photo: AP
Sharon arrives at hospital
Photo: AP
Photo: AP
Bush briefed on situation
Photo: AP
Photo: Alex Kolomuisky
Rabbi Yosef prays for Sharon's recovery
Photo: Alex Kolomuisky

White House: Praying for Sharon

President Bush briefed on Sharon's condition; Rabbi Ovadia Yosef calls on Israelis to recite Psalms, pray for PM's recovery

Well-wishes and expressions of concern from across the world have been pouring in Wednesday night following reports that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a serious stroke and was clinging to life at hospital.

 

U.S. President George W. Bush said in a written statement that "Laura and I share the concerns of the Israeli people about Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's health, and we are praying for his recovery."

 

"Prime Minister Sharon is a man of courage and peace. On behalf of all Americans, we send our best wishes and hopes to the prime minister and his family," Bush added.

 

In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that "our thoughts and prayers are with Prime Minister Sharon, his family, and the Israeli people. We wish the Prime Minister a full recovery."

 

Sharon was rushed into surgery at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital after suffering from a massive brain hemorrhage Wednesday evening.

 

U.S. National Security Council Spokesman

Frederick Jones said President George W. Bush had been briefed on Sharon's condition "and will continue to monitor the situation."

 

U.S. government officials expressed their concern over Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's condition and telephoned the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC in order to receive updates on his condition.  

 

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke with Israeli Ambassador Danny Ayalon and asked to express his and his wife Maria's sorrow and speedy recovery wishes.

 

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said 'Sharon has been a huge figure in the region for many years' but 'surprised everybody by the courage and statesmanship he's shown in recent years to work towards a long term peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.'

 

French President Jacques Chirac also wished the prime minister a swift recovery.

 

"All my wishes and all my thoughts are with you," Chirac said in a missive, made public by his office.

 

Meanwhile, closer to home, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas contacted Israeli officials Thursday to express concern over the prime minister’s deteriorating health, Abbas' office said.

 

"Chairman Abbas phoned Israeli officials over the health deterioration of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and he voiced his concern about his health," said Nabil Abu Rdeineh, an Abbas aide.

 

President Moshe Katsav said that "along with all the Israeli people I pray for the wellbeing of the prime minister and wish him a speedy recovery."

  

Katsav received reports on Sharon's condition from Professor Shlomo Mor Yosef, director-general of Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital and from Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon.

  

Shas Chairman MK Eli Yishai said that "during these times, it becomes clear that what should stand at the top of our priorities is concern for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's health."

 

Yishai added that Shas' spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef called on all Israelis to recite Psalms and pray for Prime Minister Sharon's recovery.

 

'We must all pray for a miracle'

 

Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed Sharon's serious stroke and said, "Like all of Israel, I also pray for the wellbeing of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon."

 

"I hope his surgery will succeed and that his doctors succeed," Netanyahu said.

 

Meanwhile, Education Minister Limor Livnat telephoned Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon to inquire about the prime minister's condition.

 

National Religious Party Chairman Zevulun Orlev said that "at a time like this, when the prime minister is undergoing medical treatment, we pray for

his health and send our best wishes for a speedy recovery, like all of Israel."

 

Labor Secretary-General MK Eitan Cabel sent his well-wishes and said "we wish the prime minister full recovery and a long life. We are praying for his wellbeing."

 

"During these times we must all pray for a miracle. Sharon's situation unites all of Israel in their hope for his recovery," MK Pnina Rosenblum (Likud) added.

 

Arab satellite channels aired live transmissions on the drama taking place in Israel. MK Ahmad Tibi (Hadash-Ta'al), who spoke as commentator on al-Arabiyah network, said he did not believe Sharon would return to the post of prime minister.

 

Reuters and Roee Nahmias contributed to the report 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.05.06, 01:12
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