Statements of Secretary Kerry, Senator Menendez and Rep. Engel on Ariel Sharon

Elanna Cahn — January 13, 2014 – 10:15 am | Congress | Democrats | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

Secretary of State John F. Kerry on the Passing of Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon     

Ariel Sharon’s journey was Israel’s journey.  The dream of Israel was the cause of his life, and he risked it all to live that dream.

I remember reading about Arik in the papers when I was a young lawyer in Boston and marveling at his commitment to cause and country. I will never forget meeting with this big bear of a man when he became Prime Minister as he sought to bend the course of history toward peace, even as it meant testing the patience of his own longtime supporters and the limits of his own, lifelong convictions in the process. He was prepared to make tough decisions because he knew that his responsibility to his people was both to ensure their security and to give every chance to the hope that they could live in peace.

During his years in politics, it is no secret that there were times the United States had differences with him. But whether you agreed or disagreed with his positions - and Arik was always crystal clear about where he stood - you admired the man who was determined to ensure the security and survival of the Jewish State.  In his final years as Prime Minister, he surprised many in his pursuit of peace, and today, we all recognize, as he did, that Israel must be strong to make peace, and that peace will also make Israel stronger. We honor Arik’s legacy and those of Israel’s founding generation by working to achieve that goal.

Arik is finally at rest, and all of us in the United States pray along with his sons, Gilad and Omri, the Sharon family, and all the people of Israel. Our nation shares your loss and honors Ariel Sharon’s memory.

 

Chairman Robert Menendez Statement on the Passing of Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement honoring the life and legacy of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

“Ariel Sharon fought for Israel on the battlefield and for peace at the negotiating table. He helped establish a nation, provide for its security, and made difficult concessions during his final years as Prime Minister in the pursuit of peace. The nation Ariel Sharon dedicated his life to is stronger and more secure in large part due to his leadership and sacrifices. His life was a meaningful one that was defined by national service and love of country, and that legacy will endure.”

Engel Statement on Passing of Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon 

Rep. Eliot L. Engel, the senior Democratic Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding the passing of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

“The world has lost one of the strongest defenders of Israel—a man who fought in nearly every one of Israel’s wars and devoted his public life to ensuring that the Jewish state be able to defend itself against those committed to its destruction.”  

“I was fortunate enough to receive his counsel on a number of occasions regarding our shared goals of strengthening the bonds between the United States and Israel. He was as committed to the U.S.-Israel relationship as he was to promoting Israel’s own security.  His passing marks the end of a unique and important chapter in Israel’s history.”

 

 

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