SHARON’S DEATH: PRAISE FROM WESTERN LEADERS, VITRIOL FROM PALESTINIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERS

It comes as no surprise that the hatred Palestinians and anti-Israel human rights groups have for Ariel Sharon would follow him to the grave.

As for the praise, no one said it better than Texas Governor Rick Perry: “Ariel Sharon was a proud and strong defender of the nation of Israel, an uncompromising patriot who faced down the multiple enemies surrounding his young country with selfless determination and unflinching courage. We stand with the Israeli people as they mourn his passing. Anita joins me in sending our prayers and sympathies to Sharon’s friends and family, as well as everyone ever inspired by his courageous example of love of country.”

WORLD REACTS TO SHARON’S DEATH

Associated Press
January 11, 2014

Here is a selection of reactions from world leaders and others to the death of former Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was both admired and despised for his bold style and hard-driving tactics.
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"I was honored to know this man of courage and call him friend. He was a warrior for the ages and a partner in seeking security for the Holy Land and a better, peaceful Middle East." – Former President George W. Bush
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"It was an honor to work with him, argue with him, and watch him always trying to find the right path for his beloved country." – Bill and Hillary Clinton
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"Ariel Sharon is one of the most significant figures in Israeli history and as Prime Minister he took brave and controversial decisions in pursuit of peace, before he was so tragically incapacitated. Israel has today lost an important leader." — British Prime Minister David Cameron
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"He wanted to erase the Palestinian people from the map ... He wanted to kill us, but at the end of the day, Sharon is dead and the Palestinian people are alive." — Tawfik Tirawi, who served as Palestinian intelligence chief when Sharon was prime minister.
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"After eight years, he is going in the same direction as other tyrants and criminals whose hands were covered with Palestinian blood." — Khalil al-Haya, a leader in the Islamic militant group Hamas
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Russian President Vladimir Putin "highly praised Ariel Sharon's personal qualities and his activities to protect Israel's interests, noting a high respect for him among compatriots and his high authority in the international arena." — The Kremlin.
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel "is mourning with the Israeli people" for Sharon. "With his courageous decision to withdraw the Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip, he took a historic step on the path to a deal with the Palestinians and a two-state solution." — Steffen Seibert, Merkel's spokesman.
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"His passing is another grim reminder that years of virtual impunity for rights abuses have done nothing to bring Israeli-Palestinian peace any closer." — Leah Whitson, Middle East Director of Human Rights Watch.
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"Today, a strong leader has gone and my thoughts also go to his family." — Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
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"Ariel Sharon's last battle is now over ... Sharon was literally from the beginning a tireless defender of his beloved homeland, Israel." — German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.