AR SMR1

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died January 11, 2014, at age 85, following a stroke in 2006 that left him in an irreversible coma.

Sharon served as a military commander and strategist, playing instrumental roles in the 1956 Suez War, 1967 Six-Day War, War of Attrition, 1973 Yom Kippur War, and as Minister of Defense during the 1982 Lebanon War.

Sharon was elected Prime Minister in 2001 and developed a special relationship with President George W. Bush based on mutual trust and respect, transforming his controversial international standing.

During Sharon's tenure as Prime Minister, United States-Israeli relations reached an all-time high in strategic and defense cooperation, including American support for Operation Defensive Shield and counterterrorism operations in Gaza.

The Arkansas Senate honors Sharon's memory and military achievements, with the Secretary of the Senate directed to transmit a copy of the resolution to the United States Ambassador to Israel.